Modernity, Complex Societies, and the Alphorn

Retracing the life and times of the Alphorn, from the Alps of Switzerland and Germany to the Netherlands and Japan, this fascinating book shows how often “traditional” instruments grow and expand their reach beyond their land of origin. It has been studied for years how people migrate and carry along their bag of musical memories, and it has been largely understood how regional repertoires themselves are often capable of disengaging from their native surroundings and become transnational. Charlotte Vignau helps us further understand how single musical instruments, even those that originally support a strong national and regional identity, are potential migrants; and may find a second lease of life in the hands of people who are culturally remote from their original habitat. Indeed, through the Alphorn, Charlotte Vignau offers a wide angle picture of how rich and complex the world of music really is today. This is a book for anyone interested in the musics of the world, and in the processes of culture contact and exchange.

This study combines ethnomusicological cultural analysis and interpretation with emphases on history and comparison taken from cultural musicology. The result is a systematic and convincing narrative, explicated rationales, respectful and fruitful relationship with interlocutors, and as objective as possible conclusions, which may be, perhaps, recognized as an exemplary offspring of how ethnomusicology is done in the EU context.