The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-27
Mr.. ARMsTR0NG'S LECTURE.
An Interesting Recital of Experiences
with English Musicians.

Mr.. William Armstrong, Of Chicago, filled
his third lecture engagement in this city
within a year last evening at the Contem-
pcrary Club. Mr.. Armstrong sailed for Eu-
rope last May and while there made a study
of music and musicians. and in his talk
last evening he gave interesting account
of his Impressions of Contemporary Music
and Musicians in England" Mr.. Armstrong
is delightful speaker. with manner that
at once wins the respect and attention of
his audience. He is direct in all that he
says and coming into personal touch, as
he has with all the persons that he talks
about, there is a fascinating interest
aroused in what he has to say. Mr.. Arm
strong went TO England with a purpose,
and that was to bring the music interests
of England and America nearer together.
For that reason he gave a course OF lee
lures in England on American songs and
song writers, and had them illustrated, at
one time by Madame Nordica, who is a
warm friend of his, and at another by Miss
Marie Engel, of the Covent Garden, Lon
don, a former Chicago girl
Mr.. Armstrong last evening told or an
interview with Sir Alexander Mackenzie,
head OF the Royal Academy and director of
the Philharmonic in London; then of talk
with Glazounow, young Russian compos-
er, and of Nine. Chaminade, whom he met
in London and who was SO interested in
hearing of what tee women amateur mu-
could scarcely get her to talk or what he
wanted to hear. Nine Chaminade is i'm
pressed with the movement of the women S
clubs of Fuller Maitland, the critic of the
London Times, who believes that the ma
tional schools would be stronger ii they
could be brought nearer together; of visit
with Frederick X Cowen, the composer,
who believes that the English could unite
better and withstand outside influence II
they would only come to their own. He
believes that the sturdy, healthtul condition
of music in England is hopeful. OF the
toned Edward German, who wrote the
Henry VIII Dances" which have become
popular although he has written a more
pretentious poem symphonique, Hamlet,
which proves him a man of mark; Arthur
SomerVille; Arthur Hervey, critic of the
London Post, who has written songs and
orchestral music; of Frederick d Erlanger,
who wrote "Inez Mendo;" of Clarence Lu-
cas-, Algernon Ashton and others. The
English take an interest in their own sing
ers as long as they live.
Mr.. Armstrong gave description or a
visit made to Madame Patti at her castle,
Crag-y-noS where he was a guest for four
days, and he spoke of the unseltish devotion
gave a little sketch of Nine. Guy dHarde-
lot, of Francis Allitsen a young English
composer. What America needs is loyalty
to musical art, is Mr.. Armstrong; one
is at work on another lecture, English
Song Composers" and he was assisted by
Fuller Maitland in making out a progroInme
of compositions which have never been
heard in this country Mr.. Armstrong will
go abroad next year, giving his lectures
on American music and musicians and will
prepare other lectures on English music
and musicians in this country. Mr.. Arm
strong received yesterday afternoon with
Mrs. May Wright Sewall. He left for Chi
cago last night, and this evening he will
Musical Club CT Chicago, recounting his
visit to Nine, Patti,