This edition is devoted to the most typical of all Swiss instruments, the mighty alphorn.

We trace its development from the original concept of the curved primitive animal horn and the straight metal horn of Roman origin. Here the alphorn is featured not only in folk music but also in contemporary classical music and even present-day pop.

Musical content

1. Helmihorn - Animal horn
Central Switzerland
Traditional summons to the Landsgemeinde of Stans
Performed by Arnold Lussi
2. Alphorn Solo (Traditional herdsman's air from Ormont)
Canton Vaud
Performed by Jakob Spälti
3. Tiba Solo
Performed by Paul Duff
4. Büchel Solo
Performed by Dominik Marty
5. Büchel and Choir (Rigi Scheideck Alpine Song)
(X. Schnyder von Wartensee)
Angelo Lottaz, büchel; Male Choir of Thun
6. Alphorn Scale
Performed by Walter Chappuis
7. Alphorn Solo
On a melody noted down in 1767 by Moritz Anton Cappeler
Performed by Walter Chappuis
8. Improvised Alphorn Solo
Performed by Walter Chappuis
9. Alphorn Quartet (Freude auf der Alp - Fun on the Alp)
(M. Christen)
Performed by the Christen Family
10. Alphorn Air (Incorporated by Johannes Brahms into the 4th movement of his Symphony no. 1 in C minor)
Performed by Walter Chappuis
11. Alphorn and Orchestra (Leopold Mozart: 3rd movement. From "Sinfonia pastorella" (excerpt))
Jozef Brejza, alphorn; Camerata Berne
12. Alphorn and Organ (Etienne Isoz: Recitative and Prayer for Alphorn and Organ (excerpt))
Jozsef Molnar, alphorn; Bruno Vergés, organ
13. Alphorn and Orchestra (Jean Daetwyler: Dance of the Goatherds. From Concerto for Alphorn (excerpt))
Joszef Molnar, alphorn; The City of Lucerne Orchestra; Jean Daetwyler, conductor
14. Alphorn pop hit (Swiss Lady)
(P. Reber)
Pepe Lienhard Band

Production information

Musica Helvetica MH 58. Swiss Folk Instruments. Wind Instruments (II). The Alphorn. Produced 1978 for SBC / SRI by Lance Tschannen.

Background information

Switzerland is a small alpine nation shaped and influenced by great cultural cross-currents that have swept through Europe over centuries. Out of elements of diversity, the people of this country have forged a distinctly Swiss identity. And music is one of its most eloquent expressions. "Musica Helvetica" explores different facets of music in Switzerland from its earliest beginnings to the latest works of modern Swiss composers, from folk music to rock and jazz. This historical series span the years 1973 to 1998. These recordings are not available.

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