The Preservation of Traditional Wind Instruments. The Romanian Alphorn

This study aims to clarify the organological aspects of the alphorn and to shed some light on aspects related to the history, evolution and construction particularities of this old, popular instrument, which is an important part of Romania᾿s folk culture as regards instrumental music. One of the main objectives of all musicians, performers and researchers who stimulate the collection and preservation of the spiritual productions of Romanians is to increase the value of folklore. With few exceptions, the alphorn has gone out of everyday use, that's why its study is more and more difficult but all the more necessary. As it is connected to the life of shepherds and with shepherding in general, the destiny and evolution of the alphorn has been decisively influenced throughout history not only by the expansion or regression of this ancient activity, by the geographical space in which it was practiced, but also by the progress of civilization and human knowledge.