Music: Yo-Di-Li-O

For jaded music lovers, looking for relief from the cultivated festivals that stipple the map of Europe, the Swiss National Yodel Festival last week was just the right rustic contrast. In the valley city of St. Gall (alt. 2,200 feet) gathered 2,800 apple-cheeked yo-di-li-o experts, the pick of Switzerland. The event was partly a competition, partly just a good chance to have fun.†

The yodelers performed singly and in groups, dressing up Swiss songs of summertime and young love with decorative hooting & hollering. Four judges sat and graded them on four points: 1) general impression, 2) tone and pronunciation, 3) rhythm...