Object numberM2017/055
DescriptionThree pieces of German sheet music and one hand harmonica instruction booklet, which belonged to Holocaust survivor, Irmgard Ray. Irmgard owned and played a Rauner accordion; the instrument is also part of the Sydney Jewish Museum collection (M2016/034). The document titled ‘Hebling – Handharmonika-Schule’ is probably an instruction booklet for accordion musicians, containing specifics of handling and some basic guidelines. The others contain various pieces of music.
Irmgard Ray (nee Ruf) who born in Recklinghausen, Germany in 1924. Having previously learned to play the piano, the accordion was presented to Irmgard by her Mother, Freda, prior to the family’s transport to Riga Ghetto. Separated from loved ones, Irmgard survived time in Spilwe and Stuthoff before enduring a death march. She was briefly reunited with her mother, but Freda succumbed to Typhus not long after liberation and died. After a long recover, Irmgard returned to Herne. Both of her brothers had survived Bergen Belsen and she nursed them back to health.
The accordion and music was held in safekeeping by a neighbour until Irmgard’s return. She played the instrument and tunes she knew by heart on rare occasions for family in Australia.
Irmgard Ray (nee Ruf) who born in Recklinghausen, Germany in 1924. Having previously learned to play the piano, the accordion was presented to Irmgard by her Mother, Freda, prior to the family’s transport to Riga Ghetto. Separated from loved ones, Irmgard survived time in Spilwe and Stuthoff before enduring a death march. She was briefly reunited with her mother, but Freda succumbed to Typhus not long after liberation and died. After a long recover, Irmgard returned to Herne. Both of her brothers had survived Bergen Belsen and she nursed them back to health.
The accordion and music was held in safekeeping by a neighbour until Irmgard’s return. She played the instrument and tunes she knew by heart on rare occasions for family in Australia.
Production date 1930 - 1939
Subjectmusic, customs & traditions, families, survival, concentration camps
Object namesheet music
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- a width: 243.00 mm
height: 169.00 mm
b width: 195.00 mm
height: 278.00 mm
c width: 212.00 mm
height: 304.00 mm
d width: 130.00 mm
height: 194.00 mm
Language
- German No translations available at this time
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Jeffrey Ray