On the Many Deaths of Amanda Palmer

by Rohan Kriwaczek,

  It was in the aftermath of the Rohan Theatre Band’s now notorious “final gig”, (a show which left emotional and in some cases physical scars on all who attended), that Kriwaczek first stumbled upon Amanda Palmer amidst the wreckage of the venue, suffering from a broken ankle and severe shock. That proved to be the beginning of a life-long friendship that was only ended by Miss Palmer’s tragic death eighteen months later.

  With the establishment of the Amanda Palmer Trust in 2006 Kriwaczek took on the role first of General Secretary and then later as Associate Chairman and Contributing Editor, before stepping down in 2009, although he is still actively involved in many APT funded projects.

  Kriwaczek has, over the past ten years, been the recipient of numerous accolades and awards for his various contributions to the arts and funerary industries, although, with typical modesty, he has asked for them not to be listed here. He is, however, proud to mention his bronze medal in the “Most Luxurious Imperial” category of the International Beard and Moustache Tournament 2007.

  Also by Rohan Kriwaczek:

  An Incomplete History of the Art of Funerary Violin

  It is only by staring Death in the face that you can truly say you have known Life; it is only by losing that which you hold most dear that you can truly say you have known Love; such is the Art of the Funerary Violinist.

  From its origins in the Elizabethan Protestant Reformation, to its final extinction amidst the guns of the First World War, the art of Funerary Violin was characterized by many unique and frequently misunderstood qualities that set it apart from all other forms of music. Despite its enormous influence on classical music generally and on the Romantic Movement in particular, this music has almost entirely vanished. In a series of ‘funerary purges’, the art of funerary violin was condemned as ‘the music of the devil’ and the Guild of Funerary Violinists driven into silence or clandestine activity. This is the music that, despite all attempts at suppression, has haunted Europe’s collective unconscious for more than a century. Now Rohan Kriwaczek reveals its incredible history. Painstakingly pieced together from a handful of fragments and unsubstantiated and frequently unspoken rumours, and making use of a number of extraordinary recent discoveries, An Incomplete History of the Art of Funerary Violin celebrates a unique musical tradition that refuses to die.

  ‘The Art of the Funerary Violin is a fascinating work in its own right, an unorthodox alternative history novel filled with left-field characters and quirky details.’ - Sydney Morning Herald

  ‘This truly is a bizarre book’ – The New Statesman

  ‘In seinen besten momenten streift dieses scurrile und sehr britische Buch den Humor von Sternes „Tristrum Shandy” oder Boswells „Dr. Johnson”.’ - Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

  For more information on Funerary Violin, and to hear samples of the music and purchase CDs please visit www.guildoffuneraryviolinists.org.uk

  Recordings by Rohan Kriwaczek

  Solo Studio albums

  Ghost Train

  New Ritual Dark Music

  Walking East

  Looking Back

  The Wandering Jew

  Moby Dick

  Ritual Dark Music

  New Bigger Ears

  Instrumental Albums

  Dr Asperger’s Klezmer Tonic

  Nostalgia’s Own End

  Rohan Kriwaczek – Funerary Violinist

  Salon Concert Music

  King David Report

  Two Violins

  Circles in the Sand

  Live

  Rohan Theatre Band albums

  Introducing the Infamous Reverend Rohan K.

  Love and Loss

  Unhealthy Leftovers

  Perfect World

  Cemetery Songs

  Rants and Accusation

  Unsavoury Songs

  Editor of the Guild of Funerary Violinist’s Archive series:

  The Art of Funerary Violin

  The Funerary Notebooks of Herr Gratchenfleiss

  Pierre Dubuisson

  Herbert Stanley Littlejohn

  Babcotte, Sudbury and Eaton

  Find out more at www.rohan-k.co.uk

  To read more examples of palmeresque or to post your own piece online please visit www.amandapalmertrust.com