Carlos Salzedo

Carlos Salzedo (1885-1961), was a harpist, composer and conductor, born in Arcachon, France, after whom the Salzedo Harp Colony in Camden, Maine was named. Carlos Salzedo was born Charles Moise Léon Salzedo on April 6, 1885 at 11:30 a.m., two months prematurely. Salzedo's parents, Isaac Gaston Salzedo and Thérèse Judith Anna Silva, he a fine singer, and she a fine pianist, residents of Ciboure, had been vacationing in Arcachon when Mme. Salzedo f... more

Carlos Salzedo (1885-1961), was a harpist, composer and conductor, born in Arcachon, France, after whom the Salzedo Harp Colony in Camden, Maine was named. Carlos Salzedo was born Charles Moise Léon Salzedo on April 6, 1885 at 11:30 a.m., two months prematurely. Salzedo's parents, Isaac Gaston Salzedo and Thérèse Judith Anna Silva, he a fine singer, and she a fine pianist, residents of Ciboure, had been vacationing in Arcachon when Mme. Salzedo fell down a flight of stairs. Both parents were of ancient Sephardic families. Mme. Salzedo was a court pianist to Queen Maria Christina of Spain. When young, Salzedo played the piano before the queen at the age of three; she dubbed him "my little Mozart." Salzedo's mother died when he was just five. The family then moved to Bordeaux and a Basque woman, Marthe Bideberripe, was hired as a housekeeper-nurse-governess. Salzedo became deeply attached to her, sending her checks throughout his life, and liked to think of himself as Basque. His later... less