Bärti Jütz: The musician who made history with Zogä am Bogä!

Bärti Jütz: The musician who made history with Zogä am Bogä!

The song “Zogä am Bogä” is considered the unofficial cantonal anthem of the canton of Uri and has an eventful history. Originally premiered in 1923 at the Hotel Höfli in Altdorf, recordings of it have not survived. The piece was written by Albert “Bärti” Jütz, a talented musician who was born in Göschenen in 1900 and grew up in Altdorf. In addition to being a composer, Jütz was also an accomplished musician who played several instruments such as violin, mandolin, lute, clarinet and accordion. In addition to his musical career, he studied dentistry and performed frequently in pubs and on the street, which gained him a loyal following. Known for his charm, he was very popular with women and was introduced to music by Hanns In der Gand, a folk song collector, which had a decisive influence on his artistic journey.

The music of “Zogä am Bogä” is danceable and the text contains provocative elements that are directed against the bans on dancing in the canton of Uri at the time. These dance bans applied on weekends and certain holidays and were often perceived as a restriction on the enjoyment of life. The aftermath of such bans turned the song into a protest song that is still relevant today, especially on high church holidays.

Bärti Jütz and his tragic end

Bärti Jütz died in a tragic car accident in 1925, just two years after his appearance in Altdorf. On July 9th, at 4:20 a.m., the car in which Jütz was a passenger sped from Malters to Littau. The driver, a doctor from Meggen, lost control and crashed into a telephone pole, which resulted in Jütz's immediate fatal injury. His two passengers, the driver and another passenger, only sustained minor injuries. In addition to “Zogä am Bogä”, Jütz only left behind two other compositions: “Wätterbrün wiä Kafeesatz” and “wenn äini eppä zwänzgi isch”, while audiovisual works by him are almost non-existent.

Jonathan Walter, one of the organizers of a May 17 concert to mark the 100th anniversary of his death at the Uri Theater, emphasizes the profound significance of Jütz's work. As part of the concert, six Uri formations will use different musical styles to interpret “Zogä am Bogä” and other songs by Jütz. This event reflects the continued appreciation of his music and recognizes his influence on local culture.

A look at Swiss folk music

Interest in these musical traditions is also supported by extensive publications such as the new book on the history of Swiss folk music. This book offers a comprehensive description of the diversity of folk music in Switzerland, from church and military music to shepherds' songs and Bernese chansons. The publication appears as a richly illustrated work and is aimed at a broad readership who is interested in the cultural and musical roots of Switzerland. Jütz's story also fits seamlessly into this tradition, as he is considered one of the few important folk musicians from Uri whose work still has an impact today.