Albert Ball

izstew · 2 September 2010, 06:20 PM

There are quite a few references in various books to Ball playing a violin, esp when he overtook Guynemer at one stage and supposedly played his violin around a red flare on the airfield.
Does anyone know if he was any good, and what sort of music he played. Classic? Popular tunes? I am writing a novel based in this period and am trying to find this detail.
If anyone knows, either the facts or where to find more information on this, I would be very grateful.

redintheskies · 2 September 2010, 07:53 PM

what i've heard, it was anything. ball played wildly. according to 1 source i have:

...but on the ground, he was a troubling character whose odd habits sometimes made his comrades nervous. he spnt much of his off-duty hours tending to his gardens, but on occasion he would build a bonfire, then dance around the flames, madly playing a violin.

i have not heard of ball playing anything in particular, but i'm sure others would know.

cheers!

bristol scout · 3 September 2010, 04:22 AM

Hi izstew and 'red' (emily)---

Ball at least studied violin at Trent College between 1911-13 and Willie Fry says of him-
"....where he could sometimes be heard practising his violin. He always played his piece in squadron concerts and even now I can remember that his usual contribution was the old stand by 'Humoresque'.

Composed by Dvorak I think---perhaps he wasn't at all bad with the violin after all.

Cheers,
Dave.

Epee · 3 September 2010, 05:21 AM

Seems like great example of tales growin with time to make a story.

1, Ball was a reasonably accomplished violinist who played for his squadron and sometimes practiced out of doors at night using a flare for illumination.

2, Ball would build raging barnfires and dance wildly about them fiddling.

bristol scout · 3 September 2010, 05:33 AM

We swim in a sea of myths my friend---and very hard indeed must we swim lest they drag us down.

Cheers,
Dave.

redintheskies · 3 September 2010, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bristol scout

Hi izstew and 'red' (emily)---

Ball at least studied violin at Trent College between 1911-13 and Willie Fry says of him-
"....where he could sometimes be heard practising his violin. He always played his piece in squadron concerts and even now I can remember that his usual contribution was the old stand by 'Humoresque'.

Composed by Dvorak I think---perhaps he wasn't at all bad with the violin after all.

Cheers,
Dave.

ah, 1 of those "history became myth, myth became legend" things!!! ok, i did not know that ball was actually pretty good about it and actually played pieces. i guess it's a quirk of his, considering he was almost like lothar von richthofen in the air: going after anybody and coming back safely.

Southside Bucky · 3 September 2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bristol scout

Ball at least studied violin at Trent College between 1911-13 and Willie Fry says of him-
"....where he could sometimes be heard practising his violin. He always played his piece in squadron concerts and even now I can remember that his usual contribution was the old stand by 'Humoresque'.

Composed by Dvorak I think---perhaps he wasn't at all bad with the violin after all.

'Humoresque'? That's interesting, Dave,..I didn't know that.

there're quite a few renditions of 'Humoresque' on Youtube, here's one from 1939. Played just a bit too fast if you ask me, but very nice nevertheless:

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kHNwWRLnmw&feature=related"]YouTube- Humoreska[/nomedia]

Thanks for the info, mate.

Bucky

Epee · 3 September 2010, 08:23 AM

Now I recognise the piece!

Hopefully Ball didn't murder it like Jack Benny did!

Dave,
As far as myth goes - if it's myth as in fables you can keep it but if it's myth as in, "what do we learn from this" then that it what history is all about. After all, the past is long dead but history, how we interpret the past, is very much alive and kicking.

bristol scout · 3 September 2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redintheskies

ah, 1 of those "history became myth, myth became legend" things!!! ok, i did not know that ball was actually pretty good about it and actually played pieces. i guess it's a quirk of his, considering he was almost like lothar von richthofen in the air: going after anybody and coming back safely.

Yes indeed Emily my friend.

Dave.

bristol scout · 3 September 2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southside Bucky

'Humoresque'? That's interesting, Dave,..I didn't know that.

there're quite a few renditions of 'Humoresque' on Youtube, here's one from 1939. Played just a bit too fast if you ask me, but very nice nevertheless:

YouTube- Humoreska

Thanks for the info, mate.

Bucky

Hi Gene mate,

Although I have Willie Fry's book--I actually took that quote from Chaz. Bowyers 'Albert Ball V.C.' as a good a book, and as good a historian, as you could wish for in my humble, my good friend,

Cheers,
Dave.