Harp Column Blogs: Laura ByrneArchive

Alice Chalifoux, beloved teacher and performer has passed away peacefully, and joined the angels in heaven at 100 years of age. A brilliant harpist and prized protege of Carlos Salzedo, she graced the stage of Severance Hall for 43 years. She performed around the world with the Cleveland Orchestra winning the respect and admiration of musicians and her conductors. Some of the most famous of these conductors were Sokoloff, Rodzsinski, Leinsdorf, Szell, Maazel, Bernstein, and Boulez. Her stories of her years in the Cleveland Orchestra were legendary, and when she spoke EVERYONE listened. These stories were frequently sprinkled with hilarious jokes that kept us all laughing, even years later.
Miss Chalifoux often talked about George Szell because he was the toughest, the most perfectionistic, and the most intimidating conductor of her career. Although she had tremendous respect for him, she said poor eyesight kept her from feeling the icy intensity of his "glossy stare". For many years she was the first and only woman in the Cleveland Orchestra where she not only survived, but thrived. She set the standard for orchestral harpists and blazed a trail of success for future generations with a style all her own. Her dynamic personality was an extension of her strength and determination as a woman who made her mark in the music world. She achieved this great career while raising her daughter Alyce Rideout alone, as her husband John Rideout passed away at a young age in 1951.
As a teacher she produced an unprecedented number of outstanding harpists, many of whom are world famous soloists, teachers, and orchestral harpists of the highest positions. Her style was "Old School", tough and demanding. She was thorough in her instruction of the Salzedo method, and she was ruthlessly picky about every detail of his technique and the interpretation of his compositions. She was fair to everyone as long as you worked hard and did your best. She had the ability to make every student feel important and her teaching was an inspiration. She was generous with her time and advice, and took-in more than a few students who were in "difficult circumstances."
She had no sympathy for "whiners", "prissy princesses", "phonies", or "mean-spirited snake-like people". If she didn't like someone it was usually for a very good reason and she wouldn't mince words - she'd tell you why if you asked. If you earned her respect you knew you were going to make it in the music world as her recommendation always opened doors of opportunity. I remember her pecking out just such a recommendation on her stationery with her ancient typewriter and telling me to include it with any resume, just in case I needed it. I still have it framed in my studio.
If a student was discouraged after losing an audition or a competition, she would say: "Always do your best and remember the 'cream always rises to the top'." "Even if you don't get this job, there will always be others." She was also quick to remind us that " You can't kill talent, everyone will know you and respect you by your playing."
The Alice Chalifoux Tribute at the AHS conference in Detroit was an intensely spectacular night and an absolute labor of love. There were outstanding performances by the "Salzedo Duo" Jody Guinn and Nancy Lendrim, Joan Raeburn Holland, Susan Dederich-Pejovich, Trina Strubel, Mindy Cutcher, Elisabeth Remy-Johnson, Xiao Lei Salovara, Doug Rioth, and Ann Hobson Pilot. Opening remarks were given by Lisa Wellbaum who shared some hilarious stories. Kim Rowe, Jara Goodrich, and Yolanda Kondonassis continued the humorous commentary between performances. Interspersed throughout the rest of the evening were a radio interview, a photo montage, the NBC "Camden" interview, and of course the famous Johnny Carson interview. Watching her charm Johnny Carson with her wry humor was fantastic and he was very impressed with the harp ensemble performance. Their encore performance 20 years later was just as impressive. The NBC "Camden" interview brought back tearful memories for many in the audience who spent their summers there.
Afterwards, there were lots of tearful hugs as people shared stories at the Lyon & Healy reception. I talked with a few of the performers' husbands and they had some choice words of affection for her. Roger Greive, husband of Nancy Lendrim remarked that he didn't know he would be getting two mothers-in-law when he married Nancy, her mother and Miss Chalifoux. "Thankfully, he said.. she approved of me!"
Prentice Pilot, Ann Hobson's husband joked with Laurie Vassallo and I that she was "Big Mama"and everyone loved "Big Mama!"
Alice Chalifoux was an incredible woman who had an enormous impact on the harp world as a performer and as a teacher. She shaped the lives of thousands of harpists and will forever remain an icon in the harp world. There will NEVER be another Alice Chalifoux, but she lives in each of us who knew her so well and loved her for all that she was. As we grieve her, we honor her by sharing our memories with one another and reflecting on her outstanding life and career. Her humor, her grace and her dignity, were only surpassed by her enormous talent and legendary knowledge of the fine art of harp playing.
Even though many of us are in shock and reeling in grief, we take comfort in our shared experiences and our memories of her. In my mind's eye, I can see her with her hand on her hip with a wry smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes, and she is chuckling at my tears. I can hear her in my mind saying "Larrrraa, ...don't worry dear, I'm fine!" This followed by (one of her most famous quotes), "Have a piece of chocolate dear, it will make you feel better,...now get busy and start practicing!"