Horns in the Alps
Why did hundreds of spectators make the cable car trip or trek up the mountainside to sit amongst the wildflowers 7200 feet above sea level and hear 100 folks blowing their horns? It was the perfect opportunity for another weekend getaway filled with alphorns, this time to the village of Nendaz. Nationalities represented in the alphorn competition included France, Austria, Italy, Germany, Canada and the USA, as well as Switzerland. Alphorn players bring the same love of Swiss traditions as are associated with Switzerland’s famed cheese and watch makers. There are 4,000 estimated alphorn players in Switzerland, they host more than 150 alphorn instrumentalists: some compete, but all come to the festival ready to share their love of the mountains.
But wait there is more! solo and group alphorn performances were supplemented by folk dancers, yodelers, wrestlers, bell ringers and more. The soft sounds of hundreds of wooden Swiss alpine horns filled the valley below Switzerland’s as the world’s largest festival of its kind concluded after three days. The traditional instruments, “Alphorn” in German look like supersized smoking pipes. Over 9 feet long and built in several connecting pieces to make transport manageable, they are beloved by many Swiss for whom the somber tones conjure images of snow-topped mountain peaks swirling in the clouds. The horns have been used by mountain dwellers are commonly associated with the traditional Swiss agrarian culture. They were used historically by herders in the evening. “It is magic because the sound of the alphorn is really catching, it deeply moves you, it gives you chills and when we are this many players, it is just beautiful,” said Jean-Yves Roulet, a participant.
Competitors, solo and in ensembles, vie for the rights to call themselves among the best alpine horn blowers in the world. About 200 men and women dressed in folk costumes blow fiercely into their instruments unite for the grand finale. The youngest participant was 11, while a third of the players were women See the video below. In neutral Switzerland, fairness is paramount, so the Nendaz judges are sequestered inside a tent where they cannot see who is playing, allowing them to score with impartiality. “It’s my hobby and it’s my passion. I’ve been playing since I was 12. My father passed it on to me.” “It’s a special, natural instrument and it’s important to play it with feeling. For me it’s really important that you are one: the instrument and yourself.”
The hills are alive
Playing the French horn is like marriage.
It looks easy until you try it.
My neighbors are listening to great music.
Whether they like it or not.
I downloaded all the music to the movie Titanic.
It’s syncing now.
I was confused when my printer started making music,
Until I realized the paper was… jamming.
January 7th Birthdays
1993 – Olympia Valance, 1891 – Zora Neal Hurston, 1982 – Lauren Cohan, 1988 – Haley Bennett
1997 – Lamar Jackson, 1964 – Nicolas Cage, 1971 – Jeremy Renner, 1963 – Rand Paul