Percy & Mary Honri

[Leo]

Gipsy Violin a.o. 1933 Percy & Mary Honri

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcI6FHp4Vg0

 

I found this unique and interesting, and responded to a post about these performers, until I realised it was in the buy and sell forum. I think it would be more appropriate to mention it here in the history forum so it doesn't get lost.

 

Thanks

Leo

Edited September 20, 2007 by Leo

[PeterT]

Gipsy Violin a.o. 1933 Percy & Mary Honri

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcI6FHp4Vg0

This video will also assist those enquiring how to play a large duet concertina whilst standing. Looks easy, but must have taken a fair bit of practice. I've had a quick scan through "Working the Halls", but can't find reference to the number of buttons (maybe the musicians just played them in those days, rather than "counted the rivets"!).

 

Thanks for posting this, Leo.

 

Regards,

Peter.

[Leo]

Did a little looking. I found Mary and Percy played in one movie together called "The Schooner Gang" in 1937. I suspect this clip is from this movie.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0165462/

 

Percy played in two more: "Lilly of Killarney" (1934), and "Say it With Flowers" (also 1934)

http://imdb.com/name/nm0393404/

 

Interesting

 

Thanks

Leo

[allan atlas]

LEO: many thanks for the wonderful clip........Allan

[wes williams]

I'll second Allan on that! Many thanks Leo. It brings back memories of seeing those old duet players in the early 1970s, including Peter Honri.

[Leo]

I believe it's the same video clip available for download from here:

http://www.britishpathe.com/product_displa...earchword=honri

 

There is aother video clip available here:

http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/721866/index.html

but I don't have access to it

 

Thanks

Leo

Edited September 22, 2007 by Leo

[allan atlas]

LEO: nor could i access that second clip..........Allan

[Leo]

Allan

 

On the right of the words Video Clip is a little icon of a movie frame. It takes me to this error message:

http://www.screenonline.org.uk/media/stream.jsp?id=658420

 

You do not have access to video and audio

Screenonline video and audio content is only available through registered UK schools, colleges, universities and libraries.

 

for more details, see our help page

if you are a UK school, college, university or library, see our registration instructions

Unfortunately I'm not associated with any "registered UK school"; or US school for that matter. And unfortunate that it's not available to us mere mortals.

 

Thanks

Leo

Edited September 22, 2007 by Leo

[Geoffrey Crabb]

Hi All,

 

The 'Gypsy Violin' clip was included in a British TV programme about the 'Music Halls' a few years ago, and the presenter reported that -

 

'This film was made in 1936. They (Percy and his daughter) were appearing at the Chiswick Empire at the time and they were taken by car to the film studio in Wardour Street between the matinee (afternoon) and evening performances hence the heavy makeup and stage attire.' An acknowlegement to Peter Honri suggests that he had supplied this information.

 

Examination of the clip in slow motion does not clearly indicate the number of keys but I would suggest that it is

67 McCann (Wheatstone). I also think that it must have been a 'lightweight' model judging by the handling at the end of the clip.

 

Concerning the use of these instruments in the standing position it must be realised that most of those that used to perform standing had played the instrument for many years, perhaps from childhood. Indeed my father was 'put to' the Duet at the age of 8 years and taught in the standing position.

 

Geoff

[PeterT]

Examination of the clip in slow motion does not clearly indicate the number of keys but I would suggest that it is

67 McCann (Wheatstone). I also think that it must have been a 'lightweight' model judging by the handling at the end of the clip.

Hi Geoff,

 

I tend to agree. I've tried freeze-frame and zooming in, but the definition is not good enough. I'm fairly certain that Peter Honri played a 67 key Wheatstone, and it may well have been this instrument. Percy also had two larger Maccanns (photos - "Working the Halls") but they were both 6-sided "lozenge" shape.

 

Regards,

Peter.

[Dirge]

Lightweight or not he must have surprisingly good shoulder muscles to keep that up for any time!

 

I'm not sure if I'm pleased or sad to see there's no trick to it; I clearly just have to practice more.

[allan atlas]

FOLKS: with respect to playing the concertina standing up: one simply gets used to it. . . . . . .REALLY...........Allan

[Dirge]

OK, message understood....!

[mthatcher61]

When I am trying to play my Anglo whilst standing up, it wants to bottom out. The two faces will not stay perpendicular. The only thing I can think to remedy this is to support the lower parts of the faces with my pinky, but then, I lose two perfectly good digits to press and pull with. Are my straps too loose?

[PeterT]

When I am trying to play my Anglo whilst standing up, it wants to bottom out. The two faces will not stay perpendicular. The only thing I can think to remedy this is to support the lower parts of the faces with my pinky, but then, I lose two perfectly good digits to press and pull with. Are my straps too loose?

See the link below as to how John Kirkpatrick does it! Basically using three fingers on each hand unless the little fingers are required to play notes.

 

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3UMRP0126gk&...ted&search=

[m3838]

Basically using three fingers on each hand unless the little fingers are required ....

 

In other words: "The answer is always "yes", unless a "no" is required".