Legendary pianist Van Cliburn dead at 78

[White Eagle]

It would probably help you know who Van was if you were a teenager when Sputnik was launched or maybe from Texas. Van won the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958 which was a big deal at the time as Moscow launched the sputnik. He didn't do anything really public, maybe concerts, which I doubt many of us would have attended. It's sad as he was important back in the cold war.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/27/showbi...bit/index.html

Legendary pianist Van Cliburn dead at 78
By Alan Duke, CNN

(CNN) -- Van Cliburn, the classical pianist honored by a New York ticker-tape parade for winning a major Moscow competition in 1958, died Wednesday after a battle with bone cancer, his publicist said.

"He died peacefully in his Fort Worth, Texas, home ... surrounded by loved ones," spokeswoman Mary Lou Falcone said.

Cliburn, 78, won the International Tchaikovsky Competition months after the Soviet Union stunned Americans with the successful launch of Sputnik I, the first man-made satellite to orbit the Earth. His victory swelled U.S. pride when it was near a Cold War low.

[cityboy-stl]

RIP Van. I attended a concert about 15 years ago where he play. I thought he appeared sick then and as much as I hate to say it the concert was awful. Nevertheless it was well applauded out of respect.

[chrisrobin]

.
His performance at the International Tchaikovsky Competition was superb:



He was a National Treasure, then and forever. RIP

[White Eagle]

RIP Van. I attended a concert about 15 years ago where he play. I thought he appeared sick then and as much as I hate to say it the concert was awful. Nevertheless it was well applauded out of respect.

Thank you, I'm glad you went.

[White Eagle]

.
His performance at the International Tchaikovsky Competition was superb:



He was a National Treasure, then and forever. RIP

Thank you for the video. I never had a chance to see that or in person.
So true, National Treasure. I remember Moscow was besides themselves.
And this piece is not one of my favorites.

[bike10]

A man of talent.