Re: Harmonica family Jewish ?

[Joshua Horowitz <horowitz...>]

Matthias Hohner was born in 1833 and died Dec 11, 1902. He was a watchmaker
by trade. The firm was founded in 1857 with 2 co workers. They began by
making mouth harmonicas, and Matthias forbade his sons to make accordions
until after his death, a decision which almost ruined the company. The
cultural history of the accordion (especially in Germany) is very
convoluted.

There is a photo of Hitler on a lake being regaled by an accordion player in
1936, smiling. There was a large accordion movement in Germany before 1938.
In spite of its widespread popularity and its utilization of accordions for
playing Schubert's unfinished Symphony  and myriad other classical works by
various youth groups it was first forbidden by the Joede Movement, led by
Wolfgang Stumme, but there were heated arguments as to whether it should be
encouraged or forbidden.

The blockade existed mainly against the instrument in the Hitler Jugend
(Hitler Youth Movement). Here it was forbidden as of 1938. On the one hand,
its popularity could not be ignored (as it could potentially be utilized
propogandistically). On the other hand, it should not "popularize and
degrade" the works of the great German masters (Haydn, Beethoven, Wagner. et
al).

In 1942, the Hohner Academy was accredited as a "State School." The Hohner
family did much officially to endear themselves to the Nazis. If there is
any documentation of the Hohners being Jewish, bring out the documents. I've
never seen a star of David on an old Hohner, has anyone else? Josh


>From: "allen watsky" <awatsky (at) nj(dot)rr(dot)com>
>To: World music from a Jewish slant <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
>Subject: Harmonica family Jewish ?
>Date: Sun, Feb 17, 2002, 1:59 PM
>

> Hello Folks, I was just wondering if anyone knows if the Hohner family of
> Germany was or is Jewish. There's been some talk on the Chromatic Harmonica
> list that the Star of David that was on their harmonica cover plates was an
> indication of their Jewishness. Others say it was merely a design element.
> It was ordered removed by the National Socialists in 1939.  Its one way to
> date older instruments.Any one have a clue?, or actual documentation.
> Thanks Much , Al Watsky

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