Take an alphorn: a traditional instrument with severely limited melodic possibilities. Add a didgeridoo and shells and trombones. Add even more alphorns. Observe how the harmonic possibilities grow when various horns are played simultaneously. The Alphorn comes alive, blending seamlessly with the other original instruments, creating new modes of expression.
Zürihorn was founded in 1999 by three professionally educated musicians. They bring influences from jazz and African and European music, giving the alphorn a new spirit beyond traditional folk music. They play original pieces with an improvised character, enabling them to communicate, interact, and include the audience on their way to unknown places.
They have released 2 CDs on a major swiss label, with “Wanderlust” being a top-ten-of-the-year pick by the New York City Jazz Record. WMDF’s location on the foothills of Mount Hakodate will be a spectacular place to witness this project to renew the alpine music of the mountains of Switzerland.