Annals of Bohemian Club Vol. IX - Music & Musicians in Bohemia The First One Hundred Years

Complete Title:
Annals of Bohemian Club Vol. IX - Music & Musicians in Bohemia The First One Hundred Years [A Symphonic Summary], by Richard P. Buck.

Published by the Bohemian Club, San Francisco, 2007. Limited to 3,000 copies.

This volume offers a comprehensive musical history of the Bohemian Club, spanning the first century of its existence. Richard P. Buck, a distinguished historian within the Bohemian Club, meticulously chronicles the role that music played in the club's traditions, rituals, and gatherings.

Music and the Bohemian Club
The book explores the vital role that music has held in the Bohemian Club’s cultural identity. From its earliest days, members composed original songs, orchestrated elaborate performances, and hosted regular musical events like the Jinks and High Jinks. The index mentions specific performances, such as Babes in Toyland (Herbert, 68), I Saw a Star (Brown, 130), and the Faro’s Daughter (Cook, 143), reflecting the diversity of musical tastes and talents within the club.

Symphonic and Popular Music
Buck divides the book into sections that highlight both symphonic and popular music traditions, revealing how they coexisted and thrived within the club. The Bohemian Club Symphony Orchestra and the Bohemian Jazz Ensemble are just two examples of the groups that performed regularly, helping to solidify music as a central part of the club's ethos. Famous orchestral concerts, such as A Grand Orchestral Concert (Grofé, 138) and Gypsy Camp (Stewart, 57), are detailed, showcasing the impressive range of performances that graced the stage at both the clubhouse and the Grove.

Jinks, Recitals, and Rituals
The index reveals how integral music was to the club’s celebrated Jinks and other rituals. Notably, the Cremation of Care ceremony, a symbolic burning of worries and care, is underscored by musical pieces like Ode to Care (Stewart, 25). Similarly, Low Jinks performances like The Gypsy Camp (Stewart, 57) provided both humor and reflection. These events combined theatrical performances with original compositions by club members, many of whom were also accomplished musicians.

Significant Figures
Buck highlights key musicians who shaped the club’s sound over the years. From renowned conductors like Yehudi Menuhin (122) to prolific composers such as Adolph Bauer (34), the Annals traces how both in-house and guest musicians contributed to Bohemian performances. Musicians like Edward Diffenderfer (134) and Harold Nachtrieb (111) played crucial roles in these productions, either as conductors or performers in recurring shows like Gypsy Camp (Stewart, 57) and Songs of the Sierras (Miller, 17).

Preserving Tradition
The Bohemian Club’s commitment to preserving and evolving its musical traditions is emphasized, with extensive records of performances dating back to the late 19th century. Entries like Birds of Rhiannon (Harris, 98) and Sons of Baldur (Stewart, 58) represent how mythological and esoteric themes intertwined with the club’s musical events, lending a rich, symbolic layer to the already impressive artistic legacy.

This limited edition of 3,000 copies serves as both a historical document and a testament to the enduring spirit of music within the Bohemian Club. Buck’s work meticulously details a century of performances, from grand symphonic undertakings to intimate, humorous Low Jinks. It is a must-have for those interested in the intersection of elite cultural societies and the performing arts.

More of these books:

1969's Little Red Book:
The Bohemian Club 1969 Little Red Book - By-Laws & Officers:
rumble.com/v5jrsul-the-bohemian-club-1969-little-red-book-by-laws-and-officers.html?e9s=src_v1_ucp

1973's Little Red Book:
The Bohemian Club 1973 Little Red Book - History, Former Officers, In Memorium, Rules:
rumble.com/v5js4i5-the-bohemian-club-1973-little-red-book-history-former-officers-in-memorium-.html