Bert Rache


Bert Rache born Joseph Bernard Rash, was an Australian composer, music director, conductor, pianist, company leader.
Bert Rache grew up in Lismore, New South Wales, and began his career as a musician in the late 1890s. After touring as George Rignold's orchestra leader, he was employed as a pianist with Harry Rickards in 1903, continuing this association for many years. His early career also included work with Perth's Palace Gardens and King's Theatre. Rache was in high demand as a music director, composer, and arranger throughout the 1910s and 1920s, and he toured with his own troupes at various times, including the Imperial Orchestra and Th' Drolls.

Works

''Americana Faux''

Bert Rache published a few fake American songs, presumably to capture audience enthusiasm for imported exotica, or accompaniment of American stage productions.
  • 1913 On the Mississippi
  • 1910 I'm going back to Dixie - two step
  • 1909 Way down on the old Swanee

Recordings

A recording of a topical patriotic song is in circulation, celebrating the triumphant return of HMS New Zealand from the great war.
A gramophone recording exists of patriotic march 'They Were There ' with lyrics by War Hero Harley Cohen vocals by Foster Richardson, thirteenth item