Past Events

15.–26. May 2024:
Alphorn Events with Yannick Wey from Lucerne, Switzerland!

15. May: "History and Use of the Alphorn in Switzerland"

1:00–3:00 pm. Class at Edmonds College, Creative Retirement Institute (CRI)

Location: 7020 196th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA 98035 | Map It
Maltby Building, Room 109

Instructor Gary Martin and author Yannick Wey recently collaborated on a translation of a book about the connections between the alphorn and yodeling. In this class, students will explore that topic and learn the history and use of the alphorn in Switzerland. Gary will accompany Yannick in playing a few short, traditional alphorn pieces, explaining the natural tones produced by the instrument. Students will also have the opportunity to play an alphorn with some instruction.

16. May: "Alpine Vibes"

Edmonds Waterfront Center:
Edmonds Author Series presents "Alpine Vibes" with Yannick Wey from Lucerne, Switzerland
6:30-8:00 pm

Location: Edmonds Waterfront Center, 220 Railroad Ave, Edmonds, WA 98020 | Map It
First Floor, Banquet Room

“Alpine Vibes” – Callings and Echoes of the Alps
A Performance-Book-Talk on Swiss Alphorn Music with Author and Translator
A simple musical instrument of the Alpine shepherds, the alphorn became a source of fascination for travelers in the 19th century. As a result, it became a symbol of musical tradition in Switzerland. Thanks to its soothing sound and the unique visual appearance of the instrument, alphorn music is enjoying growing popularity, interestingly also in the Seattle region. We demonstrate historical and new alphorn music and get to the bottom of questions such as: What music can be played on a wind instrument that has no valves, finger holes or keys? What function does the alphorn have in the rituals, customs and traditions of the Alpine region? How is its musical history connected to the natural environment of the Alpine region and to the purely vocal call of the Swiss yodel? The themes will be richly illustrated with live music from four centuries.

Presented by:
Co-Author Yannick Wey, Luzern, Switzerland
Alpenstimmung: Musikalische Beziehung zwischen Alphorn und Jodel – Fakt oder Ideologie?
Raymond Ammann, Andrea Kammermann, Yannick Wey (Chronos: 2019)

Translator Gary Martin, Edmonds, WA
Alpine Vibes: The Musical Connection between the Alphorn and Yodeling – Fact or Ideology?
(Chronos: 2023)

Yannick and Gary will perform alphorn duets and offer guests an opportunity to play an alphorn! The English edition of the book will be available for purchase and for author/translator signing.

Co-sponsored by the Seattle Swiss Society

Click here for the publisher link to the English edition: "Alpine Vibes: The Musical Connection between the Alphorn and Yodeling – Fact or Ideology?" (Chronos, 2023)

Click here for the publisher link to the original German edition: "Alpenstimmung: Musikalische Beziehung zwischen Alphorn und Jodel – Fakt oder Ideologie?" (Chronos, 2019)

17. May: "Alpine Vibes"

5:00–6:30 pm. University of Washington, Seattle Campus | Map It

Free and open to the public.

Location: Communications Building, Room 120 | Campus Map It

Sponsored by the Department of German Studies.

See above at 16. May for description of the topic.

23.–26. May 2024

2024 Northwest Alphorn Workshop in Leavenworth, WA
https://leavenworthalphorns.org/nw-alphorn-workshop

NWAW Class of 2023

Featured this year! Yannick Wey of Luzern Switzerland, a foremost expert in alpine musicology, will be on hand for instruction, consultation, and special presentations relating to alpine music.