Re: Harmonica family Jewish ?

[Joshua Horowitz <horowitz...>]

The star depicted on the Hohner harmonica is inded a six-point star, but it
lacks the intersecting lines which define the star as being two
interconnecting triangles. This star stamped in the metal of the harmonica
looks more like a Christmas cookie than a Mogen David. Stars of this kind
are still commonly found among the straw folk art of Alpine farmers (called
Bastlerkunst) and their cookies anc cakes. They still adorn Christmas trees
and are hung on wreaths all over. is this the only style of star found, or
is there a type which we can definitely call a Mogen David (with
interlocking triangles), or does the line-less version qualify?

If there is any proof that the Nazis actually forced Hohner to dispense with
the star at all, do let us know where to find this. The Nazis themselves
used the star of David to mark Jews as targets (armbands, frocks and painted
windows). Why then did they not use the Hohner family as parade examples, or
then stamp the instrument as irrevocably "Jewish" or "corrupt." They called
Jewish music, Jazz, and many forms of popular music "Negermusik" or
"Judenmusik" or "entartete Musik" (degenerate music). Why then was the
instrument not given the same designation?

Remember also, that the greatest German-speaking musical enemy of the
accordion was Theodor Adorno, a Jewish music theoretician who fled Nazi
Germany and who still has a paradoxic fanatic following in Austria and
Germany (I myself had to contend with dogmatic disciples of his before being
fired from the University in Graz, Austria). Incidentally, Adorno resided in
Berkeley (my oh my what a coincidence).

I wouldn't say there is no substance to the claims of Nazi prohibitions of
stars and instruments and all, but before we advance this beyond urban
legend, lets see the proof. There are many contradictions here. Of course,
proving that the Nazis actually did make Hohner remove the star would
certainly help to convince people that Nazis are bad, wouldn't it? Josh

> "He [Richard Sleigh] likes studying their construction as well as their
> history. To a visitor, he can rattle off the story of Hohner, under Nazi
> pressure, removing a six-point Jewish Star of David from its trademark logo
> in the 1930s -- an esoteric fact that's perfect from a man who has Art Deco
> amplifiers, toy planes and cars and a clock made from a 78 rpm record
> scattered around his office."
>
> Perhaps Mr. Sleigh, knows a little bit more, and might be willing to
> talk....?   Good luck guys....
>
> Michael Spudic
> Forest Hills, New York
 

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