New entry for Guinness Book of World Records

The dream of setting a world record on the Klewenalp has become a fact: over a thousand alphorn players have made it into the Guinness Book of Records

The Klewenalp Festival by Lake Lucerne in canton Nidwalden offered a varied programme - with Federal Councillor (Bundesrat) Albert Rösti as guest of honour. The big highlight on last Saturday afternoon was a new world record.

The alphorn has a long tradition in Switzerland, having been mentioned in writing as early as 1527, but was almost forgotten around 1800. At the beginning of the 19th century, a few men in the Bernese Oberland took the initiative and promoted the making and playing of this natural instrument. As a result, more and more enthusiasts found their way to the alphorn and the wonderful melodies of various Swiss composers. And, last Saturday, a world record was broken on the Klewenalp: 1,006 people came together to form the world's largest alphorn ensemble and played the piece ‘Uf de Bänklialp’ for the required five minutes.

The idea for this ‘crazy’ ‘Alphorn 555’ project (555 alphornists playing together) came to Heinz Rutishauser, manager of Bergbahnen Beckenried-Emmetten AG, on 2 August 2023 after the end of the ‘natural yodelling’ evening (Naturjodelabend). He realised that there was something missing in the festival programme – something that has a long tradition and belongs in the mountains anyway: the alphorn. Heinz Rutishauser therefore contacted Urs Holdener, who was in charge of the yodelling association at the time, and the initiator's idea was met with open ears, great interest and huge support everywhere. After the start of registration for participants in the world record attempt, it soon became clear that more than 555 alphorn players would be coming up the mountain. 750 horn players from German-speaking Switzerland, 180 from French-speaking Switzerland, 80 from Ticino and 30 Swiss registered abroad - and so the organising committee had justified hopes of breaking the thousand mark.

Joy reigns: A new world record was set on the Klewenalp on Saturday        Photo: Franz von Holzen Selection of photos by: Urs Flüeler
Composer and yodellerFredy Wallimann (left) and moderator Nicolas Senn.

Meticulous planning and perfect organisation
The big day arrived on Saturday 31^st August 202. From 7 o'clock in the morning, the alphorn players and their companions took the cable car up to Klewenalp at 1,600 metres above sea level. All participants received a personalised, detailed travel plan from the organising committee, with a route map, check-in time at the mountain railway, food vouchers and a souvenir badge - all free of charge. Host Nicolas Senn accompanied the event throughout the day, and gave important information and instructions to all those present on the mountain. The countless responses from active participants and visitors confirmed in unison that the entire OC and the 300 or so helpers had prepared and organised this event perfectly. Even Karin Niederberger, President of the Swiss Yodelling Association (Eidgenössischen Jodlerverband), paid the OC a huge compliment for the exemplary organisation and added: ‘I’m used to the people of Nidwalden and I didn't really expect anything other than a perfect job from them.’

What could not be planned, of course, was the weather. And this was simply marvellous at the Klewenalp Festival, with the surrounding mountain range providing a wonderful backdrop. Many of the participants were coming to Klewenalp for the first time, but will certainly be happy to come again to experience the wide range of summer and winter activities on offer.

Very strict requirements
In order to obtain the certificate, very strict requirements had to be met, which were explained in detail by the Guinness World Records manager, Seyda Subasi, and closely monitored by the 33 stewards. After checking in and registering each individual in the world record area and the warm-up, it was time to get serious. Armin Imlig had the great honour and responsibility of conducting this unique alphorn ensemble, and used a table tennis bat to demonstrate how the piece, ‘Uf de Bänklialp’ by Johann Aregger, should be played. Even the conductor was impressed by how well the ensemble played together and was delighted with the high musical quality.

Before the result was announced, four more melodies were played, proving that the alphorn players are steadfast and persevering, especially as the sun was burning hot and everyone stayed in place for up to three hours.

Great emotions, goose bumps and tears of joy
At 3.15 pm, the relief was huge when Seyda Subasi declared the world record with 1,006 alphorns to be valid, and the Klewenalp-Stockhütte mountain railway company (Bergbahnen Klewenalp-Stockhütte) and the Swiss Yodelling Association officially became world record holders. From now on there was no holding back: the organising committee, guests of honour, alphorn players, spectators and helpers cheered, ‘jubilated’ and hugged. Many tears of joy were wiped away. Countless times, despite the summer weather, you could hear that many people were freezing with emotion, with chills running down their spines and goose bumps spreading.

Jochen and Sonja Mani, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by 1,004 alphorn colleagues, also experienced very special emotions. Sophie and Christina from Wangen an der Aare, who accompanied their father and partner respectively, who started playing the alphorn a year ago especially for this event and are now world record holders, were also moved by the atmosphere. A crazy day.

A glance at the list of guests of honour and the presence of representatives from radio, television and print media showed that this event has national, even international appeal. In his speech, Federal Councillor (Bundesrat) Albert Rösti mentioned how important it is to maintain and preserve our traditions and culture, and that we need them like our daily bread. He was also deeply moved by this event, and had the highest praise for the entire organisation. Karin Niederberger, President of the Swiss Yodelling Association, felt much the same way. She praised the courage and initiative of the organising committee and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, the wonderful weather and the great encounters.

Link to video: (Video and editing: Franz von Holzen)
https://youtu.be/qw61juIGBYM

Enjoying natural yodelling on the Klewenalp
The natural yodelling evening on Friday was the first highlight of the three-day Klewenalp Festival. The well-known yodeller and composer Fredy Wallimann was responsible for the programme for the 23rd time - and on this evening he once again served up the finest yodelling delicacies to the expectant audience. Immediately after the entrance by the Jochtreychler Beckenried (cow-bell ringers), Wallimann himself was surprised when the Beggrieder yodellers and the audience serenaded him on his birthday.

The very varied programme, which was presented by the likeable Danja Spichtig, included performances by the Jodlerchörli Hüsliberg (yodelling choir), the Jägerchörli Niedersimmental (hunters' choir), the Beggried Yodellers, the Ruedi Moser Music and Yodelling Family, the ‘von Niederhäusern’ siblings, solo yodeller Andrea Küttel, alphorn and Büchel blower Urs Holdener, the Chrystal alphorn group and the ‘Echo vom Vitznauerstock’ group. Their marvellous performances delighted the audience in the packed marquee. As an impressive finale to the natural yodelling evening, all the participants and the audience sang the ‘Geburtstagsjuiz’ by and for Fredy Wallimann and, as an encore, the ‘Bürgestöckler’.