Switzerland held a national pre-selection to choose the two songs that would go to the
Eurovision Song Contest 1956
The Eurovision Song Contest 1956 was the first edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest, organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcasters the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR) and (RSI). The contest, origin ...
. It was held on 28 April 1956.
Before Eurovision
National final
The final was held on 28 April 1956 in Lausanne, where "Das alte Karussell" and "Refrains" reached the first two places, as the two entries which were sent to the Eurovision Song Contest, both performed by Lys Assia. The points and rankings of the other songs remain unknown.
"" was co-written by
Émile Gardaz
Émile Gardaz (29 August 1931, Échallens, Vaud - 19 December 2007) was a Swiss radio moderator and author, working for Radio suisse romande since 1955. He was the father of comedian Sophie Gardaz.
Ten years before his death, in 1997, he was, ...
and
Géo Voumard
Géo Voumard (2 December 1920 – 3 September 2008) was a Swiss jazz pianist and composer. He was a co-founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival and composer of the song "'' Refrain''" which won the first Eurovision Song Contest.
Life and caree ...
, and "Das alte Karussell" was written in
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
** Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
and composed by Georg Benz Stahl.
At Eurovision
1956 was the only year the Contest allowed two entries per country. For Eurovision, the "s" in "" was dropped from the title, and the song went on to win the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest. The result of "", as well as the scores and placings of the other songs including the points of "Refrain", weren't declared.
"" was performed second in the contest, following the and preceding . "" performed ninth at the second round with the same order of countries. Both of the Swiss entries were conducted at the contest by the musical director
Fernando Paggi
Fernando Paggi (3 July 1914 – 14 January 1973) was a Swiss conductor and musician known for conducting the Swiss entries for three Eurovision Song Contests. He was also the conductor of the Radio Monte Ceneri Orchestra.
Competitions
* Eurovis ...
. As Lys Assia represented Switzerland singing both songs, she is one of only two performers to do so in one Eurovision edition, alongside
Michele Arnaud for Luxembourg this same year with two entries in French. With this, Switzerland as well as Assia, are the only country and performer with two songs in two different languages in Eurovision history.
The two entries were succeeded as Swiss representative at the
1957 contest by Assia again with "", and "" was succeeded as Eurovision winner in 1957 by
Corry Brokken
Cornelia Maria "Corry" Brokken (3 December 1932 – 31 May 2016) was a Dutch singer, television presenter and jurist. In 1957, she won the second edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song " Net als toen", representing the Netherlands. ...
representing the with "".
References
External links
Swiss National Final pagefrom Diggiloo Thrush
Lyrics & info - Das alte Karussell
from Diggiloo Thrush
Lyrics & info - Refrain
{{Eurovision Song Contest 1956
1956
Events
January
* January 1 – The Anglo-Egyptian Condominium ends in Sudan.
* January 8 – Operation Auca: Five U.S. evangelical Christian missionaries, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, Jim Elliot and Pete Fleming, ar ...
Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 1956
Eurovision