Alpenlaenders - Alphorn

A L P H O R N

Here are the "Alphorns!" Each is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, wooden work of art. These delicate instruments are painstakingly hand made by an experienced Swiss horn builder right in Switzerland. No two alphorns are exactly alike, but each is finely tuned and tonality of these horns is absolutely beautiful. Go ahead and check out the YouTube video below to see photos and video clips from various Alphorn shows and concerts performed by the Alpenlaenders.

In the photo (right) Helmar, Tobi and Brian played an Alphorn concert for the Swisslog reception in Carlisle Pennsylvania (October 2011). Take a look at the photos, videos and music clips from Alphorn concerts and performances in the YouTube video below.

For booking an Alphorn concert please contact Helmar Mueller at Helmar@alpenlaenders.com

The Alphorn Players


Helmar Mueller: From York, Pennsylvania, Helmar is a band leader, Swiss Alphorn, Trumpet, Accordion and Button Box (Squeeze Box) player. Helmar made CD recordings in 1996 and 2002 with the Swiss Alphorn.	Tobi Cisin: From Washington DC, Tobi is a Swiss Alphorn Soloist since 1991. Tobi also plays French horn, has a Masters of Music degree from the Indiana University and competed in the top ten percent at the 2007 International Alphorn Competition of Nendaz, Switzerland.	Brian Priebe: From Washington DC, Brian is a music director, singer and Trombone, Swiss Alphorn, and Norwegian Lur player. Brian took second place in the 2010 International Alphorn Competition in Nandez, Switzerland as a Duo with Tony Brazelton. Brian also placed second in the 2007 competion as a Soloist.

The Alphorn Sound

Alphorns have no valves, and are played much like a bugle. It takes practice to build your lip in order to play the full range of the horn which, surprisingly, is several octaves. When they are played, the notes are produced by the tension of your lips and the presuure of your breath.

Making of the Alphorn

The making of an Alphorn is an art that is handed down from generation-to-generation. Only select spruce, and sometimes pine, is used by Alphorn makers to carve the Alphorn. It is most often made in three sections for easy transport. The three sections have brass bushings with O-rings on the ends, allowing the sections to be pushed together to seal the connections. A hardwood ring on the bell, the rattan wrapped tube sections and a seperate wooden mouth piece similar to brass instruments completes the Alphorn. Finishing touches of the Alphorn include either carvings or hand paintings of alpine flowers or any type of artwork to personalize the identity of the Alphorn.

Take a look at the finishing samples shown at the left. Beautiful works of art decorate each horn, and again, no two are exactly alike. If you would like, you can personalize your horn by having your initials carved in your horn, as Helmar did. To see a close-up of each horn's bell decoration simply click on the carving or painting in the photo.

For more information regarding the purchase of a beautiful handcrafted Alphorn contact Helmar Mueller at Helmar@alpenlaenders.com

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