It isn’t often the low rumble of an alphorn can be heard ringing from the stage of the Backus Community Center Auditorium.

The wind instrument commonly used by mountain dwellers in Switzerland traveled with Swiss musician Lorenz Schwarz halfway across the world to bring the sounds of Switzerland to Borderland for an evening of entertainment at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“People will hear something very unique,” Lorenz told The Journal Monday through the translation of Mark Gerber of Fort Frances.

Gerber, who grew up in Switzerland, traveled to his native country in 2011 and heard Schwarz’s music on a CD. He contacted the musician with an invitation to visit Borderland and is “very glad to have him here.”

“I did not know if he would come and now he is here,” Gerber said with a smile.

Schwarz began playing the alphorn at the age of 18. He developed an interest in the instrument after spending many summers working as a shepherd in the Swiss Alps.

Schwarz learned to play the sometimes-more-than-13-foot-long horn and perfected his talent with the instrument.

“It was very fun to play,” Schwarz said.

After overcoming a period of suicidal depression at the age of 24, Schwarz taught himself how to play the guitar while he was playing the alphorn. The talent was one-of-a-kind and Schwarz took his act on the road. His 2012 tour is called “From addictions to freedom.”

About 11 years ago, Schwarz was joined by Ernst Banninger who learned of Schwarz’s unique talent through a book Schwarz wrote about his life.

“When I read Lorenz’s book, I was interested. I really wanted to learn,” Banninger recalls.

Eager to learn himself, Banninger contacted Schwarz to teach him how to play the guitar and the alphorn together.

Schwarz accepted Banninger as a student and now the two travel together to perform.

“People who come to our show will hear nice music,” Banninger said of the duo’s performance.

And while the pair have never played their music in Minnesota, they said they are looking forward to any reception they receive from the community.

“We’re really looking forward to (the show),” Schwarz said.

When asked what the two musicians thought of Minnesota, Schwarz spread his arms apart and said “weit,” which means “far” in German.

Saturday’s show is a free will offering and Banninger said he and Schwarz appreciate everyone who comes.

“Each new performance is exciting and we never know what to expect,” Banninger concluded.

Schwarz added, “danke,” which means “thank you.”