Two years later another German flutist, George Isenberg or D’E’issenburg[126] increased the force of teachers in Philadelphia. Again we find in 1774 Peter Kalckoffer advertising to teach the beloved German flute as well as the Latin tongue.[127]
Probably the most important of these German musicians was H. B. Victor, who went from Germany to London, in 1759,[128] and whose advertisement appears in 1774—an advertisement worthy to be placed alongside of some of those of the present day. He seems to have been an inventor of musical instruments as well. The number of instruments he plays at once, remind us of some of the street musicians of the present day.
“Mr. Victor, Musician to her late Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, and Organist at St. Georges in London, lately arrived here, takes this method of acquainting the Musical Gentry in general, that he gives instructions on the Harpsichord, or Forte Piano, Violin, German Flute, etc., especially in the thorough Bass both in theory and practice, for that his pupils may soon come to a fundamental knowledge of that fine science.
“N. B. Mr. Victor intended to give a concert, and to perform on his new musical instruments, but is obliged to postpone it for want of able hands; the one he calls Tromba doppia con Tympana, on which he plays the first and second trumpet and a pair of annexed kettle-drums with the feet all at once; the other is called cymbaline de amour, which resembles the musical glasses played by harpischord keys, never subject to come out of tune, both of his own invention. He is to be met with at his house in Callow Hill street near Water street.”[129]
According to this advertisement, Victor must have been a whole conservatory of music in himself. However he was a musician of some note in our early history, and as such is worthy a place here.
As would be expected the remainder of this period brings no new teachers to notice as the colonies were busied with far more important matters.
FOOTNOTES:
[121] See above, p. 29.
[122] See above, p. 32.
[123] Mr. Quin was a dancing-master, and his room is advertised for rent in Pa. Gaz., Sept. 11, 1755.