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By:
Sam Cronk
These very large
instruments are closely linked to mountainous regions throughout Europe,
Latin America and parts of Asia. They play simple melodies which carry
great distances; their sound is determined by the materials used and their
overall length. Made from birch, fir, poplar, cherry or other woods, alphorns
are often constructed out of a hollowed narrow log wrapped with bark,
roots or cane. They can range in length from 4 to more than 12 feet. They
have no keys or reeds; as with other natural horns, you play different
pitches by adjusting your embouchure (that is, the position and tension
of your lips which vibrate on the mouthpiece) and by overblowing.
The essence
of alphorn music is one of balance: performers stress the need to combine
physical control - essential to produce the long sustaining tone needed
for this instrument- with a sense of harmony and integration with your
natural environment. This music is considered by some as a form of personal
meditation.
Alphorns have
a rich history! Likely originating around 8th century AD, they've been
described in written texts since 1527 (for example, in treatises from
the monastery of St. Urban.) Historically, we know that alphorns were
also used as signaling devices to assemble people for war (for example,
the Peasants War in Switzerland in 1653). By 1826, lessons in alphorn
blowing were taught in http://www.si.umich.eduSwitzerland, guilds (professional
musical organizations) established and competitive festivals introduced
in Switzerland and Austria by the late 19th century.
Although alphorns
are considered pastoral or folk instruments, their sound has also been
represented in European art music repertoire. For example, Beethoven's
Pastoral Symphony includes an alphorn tune to suggest a rural ambiance,
as does Brahms' Symphony no. 1.
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