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Carlos Salzedo Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0679
Finding aid note: Stored offsite at the Library Service Center and require 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Scope and Contents

This collection includes autograph music manuscripts, annotated and signed published scores, articles, photos, and notebooks of harpist, composer, and teacher Carlos Salzedo. There are also materials about Alice Chalifoux, Salzedo's student and an influential harpist and teacher in her own right.

Dates

  • 1930 - 2002

Access Restrictions

These materials are available for research.

Conditions Governing Access

Stored offsite at the Library Service Center and require 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Biographical / Historical

Carlos Salzedo (1885-1961) was a French harpist, pianist, composer and conductor. He began playing piano by the age of three, and wrote and published his first composition, a polka called Moustique (Mosquito), when he was five years old. At twelve years old he began studying the harp, and within a year was accepted as a harp student in the Paris Conservatoire. In 1909, Arturo Toscanini invited Salzedo to play in the orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, and Salzedo moved to New York. From the 1920s onward, Salzedo appeared regularly as a soloist with orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, and on tour as a recitalist, harp ensemble leader and flute-harp-cello trio member. Salzedo is regarded by many as one of history's greatest harpists, and he was a highly regarded pianist, conductor, and teacher as well. His transcriptions and compositions were original and well abreast of the latest musical developments. He was a progressive spirit, seeking new tonal resources in the improved harp of his day manufactured by Lyon & Healy. Salzedo taught hundreds of students during his career, and inspired other composers with his unique works and style of playing.

Extent

3.5 Linear Feet (5 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

This collection includes autograph music manuscripts, annotated and signed published scores, articles, photos, and notebooks of harpist, composer, and teacher Carlos Salzedo. There are also materials about Alice Chalifoux, Salzedo's student and an influential harpist and teacher in her own right.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These materials were donated by Rice University Shepherd School of Music Harp professor Paula Page in 2017 and 2018.

Subjects

Record Groups

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Carlos Salzedo papers
Status
Completed
Author
Dara Flinn
Date
2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892