Photos by David Azia
Each July, the mountain village of Haute-Nendaz in Switzerland’s canton of Valais hosts the Alpenhorn Festival, drawing hundreds of musicians who gather along the shores of an Alpine lake 2,200 meters (7’220 feet) above sea level. This year’s edition drew a record 245 alpenhorn players, according to the organizers, who performed as an ensemble on the final day of the three-day event.
While the exact origins of this conical instrument hewn from a solid block of wood are unknown, the alpenhorn has long formed an essential part of Swiss identity. The soothing harmonics produced by the alpenhorn are a regular feature for hikers in the snow-capped mountains of this landlocked nation. Much of the musical repertoire reflects its pastoral origins, with tunes such as the “ranz des vaches” – or walk of the cows.
Below is a gallery featuring the work of David Azia’s documentation of the Alpenhorn Festival in Switzerland.
Click on any image below to launch the gallery.
Alpenhorn players from the French Haute Savoie region walk along the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. More than 200 alpenhorn players gathered in Nendaz on Sunday to perform as an ensemble in the Alpenhorn Festival. (AP Photo/David Azia)
Alpenhorn players line up before performing along the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
Alpenhorn players chat amongst themselves along the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
Men carry Swiss flags near the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
An alpenhorn player from the French Haute Savoie region poses for a photograph nearthe Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
Men perform Schwingen, traditional Swiss wrestling, along the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
Alpenhorn players wearing traditional Swiss outfits stand near the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
Alpenhorn players prepare to perform along the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
An alpenhorn player carries his instrument near the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
Alpenhorn players practice near the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
An alpenhorn player from the French Haute Savoie region performs along the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
Alpenhorn players from the French Haute Savoie region perform along the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
An alpenhorn player wearing a traditional Swiss tunic poses for a photograph along the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
Alpenhorn players prepare to perform along the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
Alpenhorn players perform along the Lac de Tracouet, situated 2200 meters (7220 feet) above sea level in Haute-Nendaz, canton of Valais, Switzerland, Sunday, July 26, 2015. (AP Photo/David Azia)
See more photos
Follow David Azia | Twitter | Instagram
Follow AP photographers and photo editors on Twitter: http://apne.ws/15Oo6jo
Spotlight is the blog of AP Images, the world’s largest collection of historical and contemporary photos. AP Images provides instant access to AP’s iconic photos and adds new content every minute of every day from every corner of the world, making it an essential source of photos and graphics for professional image buyers and commercial customers. Whether your needs are for editorial, commercial, or personal use, AP Images has the content and the expert sales team to fulfill your image requirements. Visit apimages.com to learn more.
Written content on this site is not created by the editorial department of AP, unless otherwise noted.
AP Images on Twitter | AP Images on Facebook | AP Images on Instagram
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
AP Images Blog 
hope amazing sound ♫♫♫
LikeLike
Very interesting photos. Very journalistic style; tells the story well.
– Jake
LikeLiked by 2 people