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The Anglo-German Concertina: A Social History
By Dan M. Worrall, 2009
Two volumes, 440 illustrations, 28 transcriptions, 620pp., $38.00 US
The Anglo-German Concertina: A Social History
By Dan M. Worrall, 2009
Two volumes, 440 illustrations, 28 transcriptions, 620pp., $38.00 US
German and Anglo-German concertinas were by far the most
popular forms of the instrument in the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries, and were a favorite of working class
people around the world. They were played by Irish peasants,
London street musicians, Yorkshire mummers, Boer trekkers,
Australian diggers, Salvation Army Lassies, and Zulu
mineworkers. By sailors in the age of sail, Mormon pioneers in
covered wagons, New Zealand sheep-shearers, and Inuit
dancers in the high Arctic. By bushrangers and smugglers,
music hall artists, street beggars, and just plain folks.
These concertinas were a true global phenomenon, in many
ways shaping the popular music of that era. They also are a
modern phenomenon, enjoying a revival of interest that crosses
international and cultural boundaries. This is the first
comprehensive history of the instrument.
This two-volume history makes extensive use of primary
sources from period newspapers, books, and journals. There
are over 440 illustrations, charts, and period photographs, as
well as note-for-note transcriptions of numerous early recorded
players.
About the author:
Dan Worrall has previously written "The Anglo-Concertina
Music of William Kimber," published by the English Folk
Dance and Song Society in 2005, as well as numerous articles
on the history of the concertina at The Concertina Library
(www.concertina.com) and in the Papers of the International
Concertina Association. He holds a Ph.D. in geology, is retired
from petroleum industry research, and lives on a farm in
southeastern Texas. He has played both the Anglo-German and
English concertinas for over thirty-five years.
popular forms of the instrument in the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries, and were a favorite of working class
people around the world. They were played by Irish peasants,
London street musicians, Yorkshire mummers, Boer trekkers,
Australian diggers, Salvation Army Lassies, and Zulu
mineworkers. By sailors in the age of sail, Mormon pioneers in
covered wagons, New Zealand sheep-shearers, and Inuit
dancers in the high Arctic. By bushrangers and smugglers,
music hall artists, street beggars, and just plain folks.
These concertinas were a true global phenomenon, in many
ways shaping the popular music of that era. They also are a
modern phenomenon, enjoying a revival of interest that crosses
international and cultural boundaries. This is the first
comprehensive history of the instrument.
This two-volume history makes extensive use of primary
sources from period newspapers, books, and journals. There
are over 440 illustrations, charts, and period photographs, as
well as note-for-note transcriptions of numerous early recorded
players.
About the author:
Dan Worrall has previously written "The Anglo-Concertina
Music of William Kimber," published by the English Folk
Dance and Song Society in 2005, as well as numerous articles
on the history of the concertina at The Concertina Library
(www.concertina.com) and in the Papers of the International
Concertina Association. He holds a Ph.D. in geology, is retired
from petroleum industry research, and lives on a farm in
southeastern Texas. He has played both the Anglo-German and
English concertinas for over thirty-five years.
Notes on images shown on this page:
Cover, volume 1: An aristocratic family and their servants, Limerick Ireland, ca. 1907. Note woman with German
concertina. Courtesy of the National Folklore Collection, University College, Dublin.
Cover, volume 2: A "Christy Minstrels" group composed of soldiers at the garrison at Opunake Redoubt, New
Zealand, ca. 1875. Courtesy of the Alexander Turnbull Library at the National Library of New Zealand. Note the
central position of the musician with the German concertina.
Lower right: Unknown session musician, Ireland, ca. 1960. Courtesy of Chris Corlett and the Irish Traditional Music
Archive, Dublin.
Cover, volume 1: An aristocratic family and their servants, Limerick Ireland, ca. 1907. Note woman with German
concertina. Courtesy of the National Folklore Collection, University College, Dublin.
Cover, volume 2: A "Christy Minstrels" group composed of soldiers at the garrison at Opunake Redoubt, New
Zealand, ca. 1875. Courtesy of the Alexander Turnbull Library at the National Library of New Zealand. Note the
central position of the musician with the German concertina.
Lower right: Unknown session musician, Ireland, ca. 1960. Courtesy of Chris Corlett and the Irish Traditional Music
Archive, Dublin.
Advance Praise for The Anglo-German Concertina: A Social History
The definitive biography of the Anglo concertina. Simply a must read for anyone interested in the history of any type
of concertina . The period illustrations alone are worth the price of the book!
- Prof. Allan Atlas, City University of New York Graduate Center, and
Editor of Papers of the International Concertina Association
Obviously building on both on a passion for, and a rich knowledge of his subject, Dan Worrall has put in extensive,
careful work to produce a wonderful pair of volumes, crammed with quotes from original sources as well as photos,
diagrams and other illustrations. In telling the story of the Anglo concertina (and of both its better-known and its
anonymous players world-wide) since the instrument's origins, he has also put forward well-argued theories about the
music produced, and how it was played in earlier times. A fascinating read which fills many gaps (in MY knowledge),
and gives much to think about - and even transcriptions to play! Clear, readable and authoritative, but at the same
time beautifully free of over-academic language.
- Harry Scurfield, expert Anglo player and teacher, as well as founding member of the
Cajun band Bayou Gumbo; Yorkshire, England
A global tour de force in music historiography.
- Dr. Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin, Johnson Chair in Québec and Canadian Irish Studies
Concordia University Montréal
Dan Worrall has not only told the story of the Anglo-German concertina but also captured the spirit of a bygone
musical era. His two-volume work will prove an indispensable reference work for this little-understood instrument that
has defiantly refused to be silenced by time. An excellent study, refreshing to read.
- Warren Fahey, cultural historian and host of the Australian Folklore Unit, Sydney, Australia.
I am sure a lot of Boeremusiek enthusiasts in South Africa will give this book a prominent place in their bookshelf. It
is only a man who loves a concertina dearly that can write such a book!
- Kalie de Jager, founding member of the Boeremusiekgilde, Pretoria, South Africa
In these two well-researched and enjoyable volumes Dan Worrall brings us a fascinating range of history, anecdote,
social background, contemporary illustrations and musical examples of the phenomenal popularity, from the 1850s to
early 1920s, of the cheerful German and Anglo-German concertina. The dedicated and thorough research needed
could only come from a deep knowledge of and love for this instrument that was so important to social life in the 19th
century’s expanding, largely immigrant ... and mixed ... societies, such as Australia's in the Gold Rush era.
- Bob Bolton, Vice-President and Editor, Bush Music Club of Sydney, Australia
It truly is a social history, containing a vast assortment of photographs, newspaper advertisements, quotes, and
commentaries dating from the 19th century heyday of the Anglo-German concertina to today. But this two-volume
treatise is so much more. If organized alphabetically, it could have been subtitled as an Anglo concertina
encyclopedia. Readers will find answers to proverbial questions about the who, when, and what of Anglo-German
concertina invention and development. And readers will find an unexpected array of diverse topics such as Anglo
players in the Salvation Army, on the sea, in Mormon wagon trains, and even in the Arctic. There is abundant
information about concertina players, professional and amateur, past and present, around the world.
Anglo players might view the last chapter (Chapter 10) as a bonus, given that a cursory treatment of styles and
techniques of the old-time players could have sufficed. Instead, the author applied his prowess as a ‘scribe’ [amply
demonstrated in his earlier The Anglo-Concertina Music of William Kimber (English Folk Dance and Song Society,
2005)], and included transcriptions of sound recordings of twenty-eight tunes from British, Irish, Australian, and
South African players. Inexpensive at thrice the price, this book receives a ‘buy’ recommendation of the highest order.
- Randall C. Merris, author of Instruction Manuals for the English, Anglo, and Duet
Concertina: An Annotated Bibliography (2002) and other
articles on concertina history
This book has exceeded all my expectations. I can hardly imagine that anybody who is interested in concertina music
would miss the opportunity to acquire this invaluable publication.
- Wilhelm Schultz, author of the book Die Ontstaan en Ontwikkeling van Boeremusiek
(The Beginnings and Evolution of Boer Music: 2001, Pretoria, South Africa)
The definitive biography of the Anglo concertina. Simply a must read for anyone interested in the history of any type
of concertina . The period illustrations alone are worth the price of the book!
- Prof. Allan Atlas, City University of New York Graduate Center, and
Editor of Papers of the International Concertina Association
Obviously building on both on a passion for, and a rich knowledge of his subject, Dan Worrall has put in extensive,
careful work to produce a wonderful pair of volumes, crammed with quotes from original sources as well as photos,
diagrams and other illustrations. In telling the story of the Anglo concertina (and of both its better-known and its
anonymous players world-wide) since the instrument's origins, he has also put forward well-argued theories about the
music produced, and how it was played in earlier times. A fascinating read which fills many gaps (in MY knowledge),
and gives much to think about - and even transcriptions to play! Clear, readable and authoritative, but at the same
time beautifully free of over-academic language.
- Harry Scurfield, expert Anglo player and teacher, as well as founding member of the
Cajun band Bayou Gumbo; Yorkshire, England
A global tour de force in music historiography.
- Dr. Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin, Johnson Chair in Québec and Canadian Irish Studies
Concordia University Montréal
Dan Worrall has not only told the story of the Anglo-German concertina but also captured the spirit of a bygone
musical era. His two-volume work will prove an indispensable reference work for this little-understood instrument that
has defiantly refused to be silenced by time. An excellent study, refreshing to read.
- Warren Fahey, cultural historian and host of the Australian Folklore Unit, Sydney, Australia.
I am sure a lot of Boeremusiek enthusiasts in South Africa will give this book a prominent place in their bookshelf. It
is only a man who loves a concertina dearly that can write such a book!
- Kalie de Jager, founding member of the Boeremusiekgilde, Pretoria, South Africa
In these two well-researched and enjoyable volumes Dan Worrall brings us a fascinating range of history, anecdote,
social background, contemporary illustrations and musical examples of the phenomenal popularity, from the 1850s to
early 1920s, of the cheerful German and Anglo-German concertina. The dedicated and thorough research needed
could only come from a deep knowledge of and love for this instrument that was so important to social life in the 19th
century’s expanding, largely immigrant ... and mixed ... societies, such as Australia's in the Gold Rush era.
- Bob Bolton, Vice-President and Editor, Bush Music Club of Sydney, Australia
It truly is a social history, containing a vast assortment of photographs, newspaper advertisements, quotes, and
commentaries dating from the 19th century heyday of the Anglo-German concertina to today. But this two-volume
treatise is so much more. If organized alphabetically, it could have been subtitled as an Anglo concertina
encyclopedia. Readers will find answers to proverbial questions about the who, when, and what of Anglo-German
concertina invention and development. And readers will find an unexpected array of diverse topics such as Anglo
players in the Salvation Army, on the sea, in Mormon wagon trains, and even in the Arctic. There is abundant
information about concertina players, professional and amateur, past and present, around the world.
Anglo players might view the last chapter (Chapter 10) as a bonus, given that a cursory treatment of styles and
techniques of the old-time players could have sufficed. Instead, the author applied his prowess as a ‘scribe’ [amply
demonstrated in his earlier The Anglo-Concertina Music of William Kimber (English Folk Dance and Song Society,
2005)], and included transcriptions of sound recordings of twenty-eight tunes from British, Irish, Australian, and
South African players. Inexpensive at thrice the price, this book receives a ‘buy’ recommendation of the highest order.
- Randall C. Merris, author of Instruction Manuals for the English, Anglo, and Duet
Concertina: An Annotated Bibliography (2002) and other
articles on concertina history
This book has exceeded all my expectations. I can hardly imagine that anybody who is interested in concertina music
would miss the opportunity to acquire this invaluable publication.
- Wilhelm Schultz, author of the book Die Ontstaan en Ontwikkeling van Boeremusiek
(The Beginnings and Evolution of Boer Music: 2001, Pretoria, South Africa)