Amboyna Edeophone #60000, said to have been made for Grock

[Stephen Chambers]

I now realise that I've (subconsciously) always wanted a concertina like this one, since the night Jim Harvey took me to Alf Edwards' basement flat to hear the Kensington Quartet practicing the classical string-quartet that they went on to win the ICA competition with the following week (I was there!), and one of them had a 12-sided amboyna-wood instrument that Crabb's had made for him.

 

And now, 50 years later, I have an original Lachenal Edeophone one...

 

But, not only that, it's said to have intriguing history, and came from a circus family in Denmark, supposedly won in a game of cards (in the late 1940s/early '50s) off the legendary clown Grock (the most highly-paid entertainer in Europe in the 1920s) - who was an Edeophone player. Certainly the de-luxe finish (amboyna-wood and gold-plate), and very special 60,000 serial number, would suggest it was made for a special customer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 26, 2023 by Stephen Chambers
Edited for clarification

[DaveRo]

This video shows Grock at age 70 playing a concertina - at about 18mins:

(link to video removed - see next post)

Edited November 25, 2023 by DaveRo

[David Barnert]

2 hours ago, DaveRo said:

This video shows Grock at age 70 playing a concertina - at about 18mins:

 

18:14. Here it is cued up:

 

 

 

[Stephen DOUGLASS]

This is fascinating stuff, I went down a rabbit hole after seeing the first video (shades of 'Cannon and Ball', Johnny Handle and Alistair Anderson). There is a more extended concertina piece in this clip if anyone is interested. Thanks for posting.

 

[Marcus]

I’m an Anglo guy but that is a thing of beauty. 

[SteveS]

Looks like a baritone-treble he might be playing.

Does anyone here know anything about Grock's concertinas?

[Stephen Chambers]

On 11/23/2023 at 3:47 PM, SteveS said:

Looks like a baritone-treble he might be playing.

 

My thought exactly.

 

Quote

Does anyone here know anything about Grock's concertinas?

 

What appears to be the same instrument is in the Das Neue Museum Biel. Here's a link to a photo of it being held by the curator, Bernadette Walter:

 

https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/neues-museum-biels-director-bernadette-walter-shows-clown-news-photo/1258943202?adppopup=true

[Stephen Chambers]

I forgot to mention that #60,000 is in original A-435 (pre-WW2 Continental Pitch/Diapason Normal) tuning - which confirms that it was made to be played in mainland Europe.

Edited March 17 by Stephen Chambers

[Mike Franch]

30 minutes ago, Stephen Chambers said:

What appears to be the same instrument is in the Das Neue Museum Biel. Here's a link to a photo of it being held by the curator, Bernadette Walter:

 I hope it gets played occasionally. It's sad to think of them just sitting around, whether on display or in storage. Some collections make sure their instruments, even very old and rare ones, are played occasionally.

[John Wild]

Grock The Clown - Stage Performance ("Bühnen-Sketch", 1931) - YouTube

 

this is a link to a video of Grock

 

I hope the link words, and that other players enjoy it.

[David Barnert]

28 minutes ago, John Wild said:

Grock The Clown - Stage Performance ("Bühnen-Sketch", 1931) - YouTube

 

this is a link to a video of Grock

 

I hope the link words, and that other players enjoy it.

 

The link works, but it’s the same video that @Stephen DOUGLASS posted yesterday, 7 posts  above this one.

 

Personally, I’ve lost interest in Grock after reading in the link @Stephen Chambers posted earlier today (4 posts  above this one) about Grock’s relationship with Hitler.

[DaveRo]

This piece (in German) has more about that:

https://www.nzz.ch/nzzas/nzz-am-sonntag/abgruende-eines-clowns-der-mann-der-hitler-zum-lachen-brachte-ld.1736831

[Depths of a Clown: The Man Who Made Hitler Laugh Grock was the greatest Swiss artist of his time - and a favorite of the Nazis. Now his estate is going to the museum. How should we remember him?]

 

A concertina-related extract (Google translate):

Quote

Raymond Naef allows critical questions. At the same time, it is important to him that his great uncle is remembered as a great artist. In his basement he unpacks a box containing a large bass concertina. This somewhat clumsy instrument comes from England and, unlike the hand organ*, has no preset chords. “Many people could play the violin or saxophone,” says Naef. “But the concertina was Grock’s favorite instrument. He mastered it.” Naef picks up the concertina and plays a little Russian melody. A melody without which Naef would not have acquired the instrument. After the clown's death, Grock's sister Cécile decided that only those who could play the instrument should have the instrument.

* Handorgel

[malcolm clapp]

Quote: "After the clown's death, Grock's sister Cécile decided that only those who could play the instrument should have the instrument."

 

Well, judging how the museum curator is holding the concertina in the Getty photo, it seems likely that Cécile's wishes are no longer being honoured....

 

 

Edited November 25, 2023 by malcolm clapp

[John Wild]

8 hours ago, David Barnert said:

 

The link works, but it’s the same video that @Stephen DOUGLASS posted yesterday, 7 posts  above this one.

 

 

My apologies. Obviously I posted in haste.

[DaveRo]

As well as Das Neue Museum Biel (the Getty photo) there is one of his concertinas in the Musee Imaginaire Suisse (which I think is in Zurich but I'm not sure)

https://www.mi-s.ch/de/objektsammlung/objekt/1174

[aeolina]

Stephen

 

I have a biography of Grock which has a photograph of him playing. I can't check it until home next week. I'll gladly pass it to you for your collection if you would like it.

 

Best wishes

Stuart

[Stephen Chambers]

17 hours ago, aeolina said:

Stephen

 

I have a biography of Grock which has a photograph of him playing. I can't check it until home next week. I'll gladly pass it to you for your collection if you would like it.

 

Best wishes

Stuart

 

Thank you Stuart, much appreciated.

[aeolina]

Stephen

 

Here is the portrait from the book, early 1930s. A few of the elderly concertina players I recorded in Glasgow in the 1980s had find memories of him performing there. I am pleased to note he refers to his Glasgow concerts in his autobiography. I can send the book after I receive an address.

 

Stuart