The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-26
THE MIDDLETON CONCERT

In olden days when a concert singer
rendered a program there was a good
deal of red tape corrected with his
conduct lest his audience be scandal
lied because of lack of "formality"
and professional distance" between
singer and audience. All of which
was perhaps all right but I, for one,
do not care for very much ancient or
foreign bunk" when I go to a con-
cert. Unfortunately there are too
many singers thrust on the market
even now who try to get by because
of mannerisms and aping some of the
so-called model concert singers. 1t
seems to me that what We pay our
money for when we go to a concert
is good music. We want it to be as
good as we can pay for and as good
as advance notices claim it to be. Last
night we received that sort of music
in the full sense of the word-GOOD
MUSIC.
Arthur Middleton was the artist. He
was the Big Musician with a voice
that has no equal on the concert stage
today. His enuneiation is so master
full, his tone qualities so sonorous, and
his musicianship so authoritative that
the most uninstructed in his audience
could not help but~be convinced that
Middleton is a master second to none.
At times he was big jolly boy and at
times he seemed isolated into an at
mosphere of art where few are priv
legged to be. 1 wonder if the people
who so enthusiastically applauded him
Hast night know that Arthur Middle7
ton is an American, who received an
his musical training in America, fact
which should not fail to awaken great
pride in the bosom of every real Amer
lean man or woman, because my good
reader you must not lose sight or the
fact that there is still a great deal OF
propa ganda afloat which is meant to
keen alive the old mossback belief that
in order to make a success as a m usl-
clan we have to go abroad for tlnlsh-
ing touches or for the benefit OF the
atmosphere and all that sort OF IdI
fetched nonsense
Mr.. Middleton proved himself a
consummate artist and he came closer
to his audience than any one L nave
seen attempt it. He, If I may say IT,
neighbored with them. He did not try
any silly mannerisn1s, but announced
his encores in good English. He was
at ease in all he did, he was graceful
gentleman thruout the performance.
When he sang Danny Deever he cleo
trified his audience and in his rendi-
ton of Uncle Rome he wildly brought
home to his hearers the pathos OF the
emptiness of the old Negroes life after
the massa had gone home when his
voice could no longer call, you
damned niger, unite that boat and
row me home"
/ have to voice regret that such a
high class artist should be compelled
to sing to so small an audience. He
deserved a packed house. Those who
were not there missed what consider
one of the finest concerts any one can
attend anywhere. Mr.. Middleton is
master program builder and a fine
fellow. He is doing a great educa-
tioHal work in that he proves beyond
a shadow of doubt that in music, as
we'll as in many other things, America
is taking the lead and her lead is car
ried by stalWart pillars like Arthur
Middleton.
Mr.. Willie did very good work as an
accompanies. He iSs promising
young artist from Kansas.
This concluded the second number
on the Holland Series