[afraidfortherepublic]

The whole article is worth reading -- many insights into Van Cliburn's artistic sense.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Classical music and art ping.

[Liberty Valance]

"It was his recognition in Moscow that propelled Cliburn to international prominence. The first International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958 was an event designed to demonstrate Soviet cultural superiority during the Cold War, on the heels of that country's technological victory with the Sputnik launch in October 1957. Cliburn's performance at the competition finale of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 on April 13 earned him a standing ovation lasting eight minutes. When it was time to announce a winner, the judges were obliged to ask permission of the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev to give first prize to an American. "Is he the best?" Khrushchev asked. "Then give him the prize!" Cliburn returned home to a ticker-tape parade in New York City, the only time the honor has been accorded a classical musician. His cover story in Time magazine proclaimed him "The Texan Who Conquered Russia".

[fwdude]

FW resident here, so I’ve been in close proximity to his influence for almost a lifetime.

Cliburn was a class act. Although he was probably homosexual, he was NOT openly “gay,” (that is purely a political identity). Yet, his private proclivity, that he did NOT make a part of his very identity, has been hijacked by the Gaystapo for their own political ends. It grieve me that these deviants are so heartless and wicked to drag out as purported “support” what even Cliburn was willing to completely repress.

[PieterCasparzen]

I wonder who the heirs are, if all the cash goes to Tom Smith.

[afraidfortherepublic]

From Christie's catalog:

Van Cliburn's mother's piano -- Bechstein 1869, pre-auction estimate $8000-$12,000.

If it is in good working order, I think that's a bargain!

[Agamemnon]

In my music room at home, among other wall hangings that I created for it I put together a 3' x 5' framed collection of autograph signatures and portraits of 20 of the greatest classical pianists of the 20th century.

Pianists include Ignace Paderewski, Wanda Landowska, Artur Schnabel, Artur Rubenstein, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Andre Watts, Myra Hess, Glenn Gould, Emmanuel Ax, Sviatoslav Richter, William Kapell, Cladia Arrau, Rudolf Serkin, Vladimair Horowitz, Alexander Brailowski Ivan Davis, Ivan Moravc, Philipe Entremont, Byron Janis, and of course Van Cliburn.

I actually wrote to some of the some of these pianists and they were kind enough to send me their autograph with an inscription. Some of the performers I had the privilege of actually seeing in concert; Van Cliburn was one of those I got to hear in 1972.

I save programs and ticket stubs from all concerts and shows I have attended for some 50 years since I was a kid. I sent one of the programs that I had from the 1972 performance to Van Cliburn in 2003, and he was kind enough to autograph it and inscribe it with a personal message to me. The ticket stub and that program have a prominent place on that wall hanging!

FReegards!

[afraidfortherepublic]