Leinsdorf, Erich. (1912–1993)
Typed Letter Signed to Alice Chalifoux
An interesting TLS from the Austrian-born American conductor, known for his tenures with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, to Cleveland Orchestra harpist Alice Chalifoux. June 9, 1946. Leinsdorf thanks Chalifoux for her visit, reports that he is currently recording Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, and goes on to discuss the disappointing performance of harpist Florence Wightman: "Nobody who didn't know Florence from before, would have concluded after her performance yesterday that she was a good harpist, let alone an excellent one [...] I have never seen anybody's hands shaking like Florence's during the hours when we made those records; she realized that she was not in condition to play and that she hadn't given enough thought to the work (or better, to the few bars) to be played and it made her violently nervous." After mentioning that he is about to travel to London to perform with the LPO, Leinsdorf reports on the family's "colds and chicken pocks [sic]" and his favorite recording session refreshment: "vanilla ice cream with hot black coffee poured over it." 2 pp. on letterhead, boldly signed at the foot. In very fine condition. 7 x 10 inches (17.6 x 25.4 cm). Together with the original envelope.From the collection of Alice Chalifoux, principal harpist with the Cleveland Orchestra from 1931 to 1974 and, for many years, its only female member. Chalifoux played under the first five music directors of the Cleveland Orchestra: Nikolai Sokoloff, Artur Rodzinski, Erich Leinsdorf, George Szell and Lorin Maazel. She studied with Carlos Salzedo and went on to train a further generation of harpists at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Oberlin College, Baldwin-Wallace College and the Salzedo Harp Colony. Described as "diminutive, salty-tongued and beloved," she was especially known for her sharp wit. (15186)
Autograph Letter Classical Music