Die Kunst des Alphornbaus (3/3) Handwerk im Einklang

Welcome to the third and final part of our documentary series, "The Craft of the Alphorn." We return one last time to Switzerland's oldest alphorn workshop at the "Knubel" farm near Eggiwil. Now we witness how the individual components are brought together with masterful precision into a finished instrument. In this concluding part, Walter, Hansruedi, and Roland grant us deep insights into the final, highly specialized production steps. Experience how the interplay of resonant tonewood, fine boxwood, and traditional wrapping techniques gives rise to an alphorn that is ready for its first, magical notes. What awaits you in Part 3: The acoustics of the foot: Why the location and shape of the maple foot are crucial for optimally absorbing vibrations. The perfect mouthpiece: How the choice of wood and the exact adaptation to the player extract the maximum tonal volume. The mouthpiece sleeve: Turning the ferrule from tough boxwood according to a design that has remained unchanged since grandfather's days. The art of wrapping: Why around 100 meters of rattan protect the horn today, and how wood shavings were used as insulation in the past. Bleaching & refining: The traditional use of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide for a flawless appearance before the final varnishing. The first note: The emotional moment of assembly – when hard work transforms into pure music, vibration, and joy. Resonant finale: To conclude, the alphorn trio Walter Bachmann, Martin Christen, and Roland Lüthi plays a piece under the open sky. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the workshop and the surrounding Emmental landscape. About this project: This documentary was filmed by Alain Hospenthal (Swiss Heritage Stories). It serves as a visual archive of a craft that to this day consists of 98% manual labor. 🌍 International Audience: This film is available with subtitles in 18 languages. Please select your language in the settings. www.alainhospenthal.ch