From generation to generation we grow towards the future.
Bohemian
Association
MUSIC
Descendants of Puhoi and Ohaupo (New Zealand) Pioneers Originating from Bohemia
Music was, and is still is a very important part of the Bohemian culture and the hub of their social gatherings. The main instruments played are the dudelsack, violin and the button accordion. The first two instruments came out with the settlers on the ships, the button accordion may have been picked up here in New Zealand; there is still research to be done in that area.
Music has been passed down the generations mostly by ear although a manuscript book hand written from Charlie Becher had been kept and has been circulating among a few of the interested, Charlie was known to compose a few tunes of his own for the button accordion.
Puhoi always had a lot of fine players and made plenty of good toe tapping music. Through the annual celebrations in Puhoi and early recordings of the band, Ohaupo musicians were keen to follow on with the traditional sounds.
| The button
accordion was played on one row only and I suspect that a lot of tunes may
have been adapted to suit this style. Question is, which tunes
exactly did the settlers bring out with them? I would like to find out
from anyone that may have some answers.
To date we are making leaps and bounds with continuing the great tradition of the Bohemian music, we have in Ohaupo area a great number of people taking up the button accordion. |
 |
The music that we have gathered together from all sources has been collated and we are attempting to get it written in book form along with samples of music on CD. Will keep you posted on our progress.
There are two tape cassettes available to purchase of the Puhoi Band, these are available through the Puhoi Historical Society at a cost of NZ$12.00 each.
"Die
Booe Musikgruppe" -
Bohemian Music from Puhoi
"Accordions
of Puhoi"
A Sample From The Second Tape: Aunt Lizzies Waltz
Contact:
The secretary, Puhoi Historical Society
C/- Puhoi Post Office
Puhoi
David
Krippner, Dot Berger (Wech), Ian Whyman, Linda Hill (Wech), Diane Barnes,
Fred Rauner, Rodger Buckton, Laurie Rauner
Click on the links below to hear extracts from...
The sound bits are approx 40 seconds long and about 400Kb in size.
Christine Krippner,
Dave Camp, Tom Krippner, Karen Camp, Katherine Camp, Isaac Camp, Ian
Whyman
Musians from Ohaupo who attended an accordion festival in
Australia,May 2002