New biography brings Bernhard Stirnemann out of Mani Matter’s shadow

A new biography aims to bring greater attention to Bernhard Stirnemann, a songwriter who helped shape Bernese chanson but remained overshadowed by Mani Matter, SRF reports.

Stirnemann was part of the celebrated Berner Troubadours, a group of six singer-songwriters who performed together and individually from 1965. Yet Matter’s fame often eclipsed the others. Musician Rolf Marti, editor of the new biography “E fräche Siech”, says Matter “shone like a guiding star over everyone”.

Marti believes Stirnemann suffered from being seen as the perennial runner-up. Even well-known songs such as “Mys Käthi” are still often mistakenly attributed to Matter, he says. Stirnemann died in 2011.

Born in Bern in 1936, Stirnemann grew up in the working-class Matte district in a Catholic family in the largely Protestant city. Marti says Stirnemann saw himself as an outsider and felt drawn to outsiders, fools and fallen angels. His songs often focused on people at the margins of society.

Stirnemann was also a theatre-maker, teacher and politician. He abandoned an apprenticeship as a carpenter and turned to French chanson and theatre. He represented the Social Democratic Party in Bern’s city council and cantonal parliament, where he helped secure financial support for small theatres.

Marti says Stirnemann had a broad understanding of culture. In parliament, he also argued for preserving the “Lötschberg” and “Blümlisalp” steamships. He made his case with humour, saying: “There are things in life and in the state that are unnecessary and perhaps even unreasonable, but they are beautiful.”

Marti says Matter’s greater popularity came partly from the accessibility of his songs. Matter’s lyrics can sound like simple children’s songs at first, he says, while revealing philosophical depth on closer attention. Stirnemann wrote more directly and bluntly, making songs for adults rather than children.

Stirnemann would have turned 90 in September. Marti says the new biography is intended to give him the recognition he deserves and finally bring him out of Matter’s shadow.