The Allgäu composer and conductor Kurt Gäble is known for his devotion to his homeland, for his close relationship with nature and for his conscientious way of living. For this reason the 6th district Marktoberdorf of the Allgäu-Schwäbische Musikbund commissioned him to write a piece for their 60th anniversary in 2009. Based on the folk song “Kein schöner Land”, Gäble’s beautiful hymn expresses a unique bond to one’s homeland. Hardly any other song so symbolizes this special love. The lyrics are loosely translated:
There is no lovelier country in this time,
not far and wide
than our country here,
where we find each other under lime trees
in the evening time.
For his interpretation of “Kein schöner Land” Gäble chose specific combinations of instruments and traditional harmonies reminiscent of Alpine tunes and alphorn sounds. The listener feels drawn to the beautiful native atmosphere of Allgäu and the Alpine upland.