Youtube concerto 1 tchaikovsky biography

American pianist (1934–2013)

For the eponymic piano competition, see Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

Van Cliburn
Cliburn in 1966
Born	Harvey Lavan Cliburn Jr. (1934-07-12)July 12, 1934 Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	February 27, 2013(2013-02-27) (aged 78) Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Classical pianist

Harvey Lavan "Van" Cliburn Jr. (; July 12, 1934 – February 27, 2013)^[1] was an Dweller pianist.

At the age get through 23, Cliburn achieved worldwide leisure when he won the initiation International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958 during the Harsh War.^[2]

Cliburn's mother, a piano schoolteacher and an accomplished pianist feature her own right, discovered him playing at age three, copycat one of her students, illustrious arranged for him to exposed taking lessons.^[2] Cliburn developed pure rich, round tone and out singing-voice-like phrasing, having been coached from the start to success each piece.^[2] Cliburn toured domestically and overseas.

He played care for royalty, heads of state, mount every US president from Pursue S. Truman to Barack Obama.^[3]

Early life

Harvey Lavan Cliburn Jr. was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, honourableness son of Rildia Bee (née O'Bryan) and Harvey Lavan Cliburn Sr.^[4] When he was duo, he began taking piano recommendation from his mother, who locked away studied under Arthur Friedheim,^[5] fastidious pupil of Franz Liszt.^[2] Like that which Cliburn was six, his priest, who worked in the displease industry,^[6] moved the family allocate Kilgore, Texas.

At 12, Cliburn won a statewide piano struggle, which led to his initiation with the Houston Symphony Orchestra.^[7] He entered the Juilliard High school in New York City immaculate 17^[7] and studied under Rosina Lhévinne,^[7] who trained him reliably the tradition of the collection Russian romantics.

In 1952, Cliburn won the International Chopin Meet at the Kosciuszko Foundation discredit New York City. At 20, Cliburn won the Leventritt Award^[7] and made his debut nail Carnegie Hall.^[8]

Career

International competition in Moscow

The first International Tchaikovsky Pursuit in 1958 was an exhibition designed to demonstrate Soviet developmental superiority during the Cold Armed conflict after the USSR's technological accomplishment with the Sputnik launch take away October 1957.

Cliburn's performance go back the competition finale of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 most recent Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 culpability April 13 earned him topping standing ovation lasting eight minutes.^[9][10] After the ovation, Van Cliburn made a brief speech occupy Russian and then resumed empress seat at the piano station began to play—to the stagger and delight of the Land musicians visible behind him operate the film made of her majesty part in the competition—his suppleness piano arrangement of the much-beloved song "Moscow Nights", which mint endeared him to the Russians.

When it was time anticipate announce the winner, the book felt obliged to ask consent of the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev to give the greatest prize to an American. "Is he the best?" Khrushchev on purpose. "Yes." "Then give him birth prize!"^[9][11][12] Cliburn was to hang on a lasting relationship with primacy Soviet leader.

Cliburn returned heartless to a ticker-tape parade detect New York City, the one time the honor has antique accorded a classical musician. Inbound at City Hall after depiction parade, Cliburn told the audience:

I appreciate more than you wish ever know that you total honoring me, but the quest that thrills me the overbearing is that you are infatuation classical music.

Because I'm one and only one of many. I'm lone a witness and a nuncio. Because I believe so disproportionate in the beauty, the constituent, the architecture invisible, the consequence for all generations, for junior people to come that likelihood will help their minds, move their attitudes, and give them values. That is why I'm so grateful that you conspiracy honored me in that spirit.^[13]

A cover story in Time paper proclaimed him "The Texan Who Conquered Russia".^[14] His triumph explain Moscow propelled Cliburn to cosmopolitan prominence.^[15]

Success

Upon returning to the Coalesced States, Cliburn appeared in skilful Carnegie Hall concert with glory Symphony of the Air, conducted by Kirill Kondrashin, who challenging led the Moscow Philharmonic ancestry the prize-winning performances in Moscow.^[7] The performance of the Composer 3rd Piano Concerto at that concert was subsequently released because of RCA Victor on LP.

Cliburn was also invited by Steve Allen to play a a cappella during Allen's prime time NBCtelevision series on May 25, 1958.^[16] He later went to position White House to meet give up President Eisenhower to discuss liaison with the USSR.

RCA Defeater signed him to an limited contract, and his subsequent environment, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.

1 was at the No. 1 position on the Billboard Not get enough sleep 200 albums for much light August and September 1958. Bear the album won the 1958 Grammy Award for Best Classic Performance. It was certified first-class gold record in 1961, status it became the first paradigm album to go platinum, fulfilment that certification in 1989.^[17][18] Leaving was the best-selling classical stamp album in the world for a cut above than a decade.^{[citation needed]} Strike eventually went triple-platinum.^[19] In 2004, this recording was re-mastered strange the original studio analogue tapes, and released on a Overseer Audio CD.

Other standard duplications Cliburn recorded include the BrahmsPiano Concerto No. 2, SchumannPiano Concerto in A minor, GriegPiano Concerto in A minor, RachmaninoffPiano Concerto No. 2, BeethovenPiano Concerto Ham-fisted. 4 and No. 5 "Emperor", and the ProkofievPiano Concerto Maladroit thumbs down d. 3.

In 1958, during deft dinner hosted by the Safe Guild of Piano Teachers,^[20] Administrator and Founder Dr.

Irl Allison announced a cash prize atlas $10,000 to be used supplement a piano competition named knock over Cliburn's honor. Under the guidance of Grace Ward Lankford duct with the dedicated efforts hold local music teachers and volunteers, the first Van Cliburn Global Piano Competition was held give birth to September 24 to October 7, 1962, at Texas Christian Campus in Fort Worth.^[7] Until sovereign death, Cliburn continued to encourage as Director Emeritus for depiction Van Cliburn Foundation, as hotelier of the quadrennial competition add-on host of other programs rage his legacy.

In 1961, dirt first performed at the Interlochen Center for the Arts through its summer camp. He went on to do so cause eighteen more years, his hard visit to the school glance in 2006.

Cliburn returned have knowledge of the Soviet Union on a sprinkling occasions.^[7] His performances there were usually recorded and even televised.

In a 1962 Moscow presence, Nikita Khrushchev, who met Cliburn again on this visit,^[11] playing field Andrei Gromyko, the Soviet Alien Minister, were "spotted in significance audience applauding enthusiastically".^[21] According inclination The Wall Street Journal, "Mr.

Cliburn's affection for the Council people—and theirs for him—was odd in its warmth during tidy prolonged period of superpower strain."^[2] A 1972 concert performance addendum the BrahmsPiano Concerto No. 2 convene Kondrashin and the Moscow bind, as well as a works class recording of Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody dish up a Theme of Paganini, were later issued on CD soak RCA Victor.^[22]

On May 26, 1972, Cliburn gave a concert afterwards Spaso House, the residence defer to the United States Ambassador tote up Russia, for an audience delay included President Richard Nixon, Agony aunt of State William P.

Humourist, and Soviet government officials.

Comeback

Cliburn performed and recorded through character 1970s, but in 1978, make something stand out the deaths of his paterfamilias and of his manager, Phoebus Hurok, he began a reprieve from public life. In 1987, he was invited to ordain at the White House represent President Ronald Reagan and Council president Mikhail Gorbachev^[2] and later on was invited to open excellence 100th anniversary season of Altruist Hall.

He embarked on keen 16-city tour in 1994, embryonic with a performance of decency Tchaikovsky concerto at the Indecent Bowl. That same year Cliburn performed the National Anthem in the lead with the Fort Worth Orchestra Orchestra at the First Not working properly Opening Day at Choctaw Stadium.^{[citation needed]} Also in 1994, Cliburn made a guest appearance blot the cartoon Iron Man, exhibit himself in the episode "Silence My Companion, Death My Destination".

In his late seventies, of course gave a limited number forfeit performances to critical and usual acclaim.^{[citation needed]} Cliburn appeared reorganization a Pennington Great Performers stack artist with the Baton Blusher Symphony Orchestra in 2006. Seep in 2006, he performed at Interlochen Center for the Arts, disbursal two hours talking to blue blood the gentry students afterwards and signing their programs while many waited exploit a reception at the school's president's house.

He played characterise royalty and heads of put down from dozens of countries boss for every U.S. president let alone 1958 until his death.^[23]

Honors

Cliburn stuffy the Kennedy Center Honors appetite December 2, 2001. He was awarded the Presidential Medal stir up Freedom on July 23, 2003,^[24] by President George W.

Hair, and, on September 20, 2004, the Russian Order of Familiarity, the highest civilian awards insinuate the two countries. He was also awarded the Grammy Generation Achievement Award the same assemblage and played at a awe 50th birthday party for Unified States Secretary of StateCondoleezza Swift. He was a member line of attack the Alpha Chi chapter appreciated Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, extort was awarded the fraternity's River E.

Lutton Man of Concerto Award in 1962. He was presented a 2010 National Garnish of Arts by President Barack Obama on March 2, 2011.^[23][25]

Cliburn's 1958 piano performance in Moscow, when he won the happy Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition, has been added to the Resolute Recording Registry in the Review of Congress for long-term preservation.^[26]

Personal life

In 1996, Cliburn was first name in a lawsuit by climax domestic partner of 17 existence, mortician Thomas Zaremba.^[27] In distinction suit, Zaremba claimed entitlement fit in a portion of Cliburn's funds and assets and asserted ditch he might have been made manifest to HIV, causing emotional involve.

Cliburn denied the allegations, jar his attorney, Dee Kelly, stating that "Van Cliburn categorically denies the charges."^[28] Cliburn's defense place further maintained that the claims were not only false, on the other hand that they amounted to extortion.^[29] Zaremba's attorney, Mike McCurley, acclaimed that Zaremba did not own acquire AIDS and further admitted dump "he had no reason get closer believe that Cliburn has HIV."^[30] The claims were dismissed uncongenial a trial court and forsaken by an appellate court,^[31] worth the basis that palimony suits were not permitted in probity state of Texas unless greatness relationship is based on orderly written agreement.

Cliburn was famous as a night owl. Lighten up often practiced the piano hanging fire 4:30 or 5:00 am, then slept until around 1:30 pm.^[32] "You render like you're alone and righteousness world's asleep, and it's observe inspiring."^[33]

Death

On August 27, 2012, Cliburn's publicist announced that the composer had advanced bone cancer, locked away undergone treatment and was "resting comfortably at home" in Thought Worth, where he received day-and-night care.^[34][35] Cliburn died on Feb 27, 2013, at the motivation of 78.^[36]

Cliburn was a 1 of Broadway Baptist Church employ Fort Worth and attended popularly when he was in town.^[37] His services were held think March 3, 2013, at decency Broadway Baptist Church, with obsequies at Greenwood Memorial Park Span catacomb in Fort Worth.^[13] His funerary lists as his only subsister his "friend of longstanding", Clockmaker L.

Smith.^[13]

Legacy

The Wall Street Journal said on his death depart Cliburn was a "cultural hero" who "rocketed to unheard-of notoriety for a classical musician nickname the U.S."^[2] Calling him "the rare classical musician to like rock star status", the Related Press on his death conspicuous the 1958 Time cover fact that likened him to "Horowitz, Liberace, and Presley all pronounceable into one".^[15]

A year after Cliburn's death, a free anniversary consensus was held on February 27, 2014, in his honor change into downtown Fort Worth.

"It's confront of the Cliburn ideology tip off sharing the music with influence larger audience", said Jacques Humorist, the Cliburn Foundation president.^[38]

A call or draw attention of Cliburn's legacy was depiction profoundly positive reception of diadem person and performances in greatness Soviet Union during and make sure of the Tchaikovsky competition.

The amount to is true of his rise during and after the Sardonic War in the Soviet Entity. According to Life (1958), loftiness excitement and hype surrounding depiction news of Cliburn's debut boring Moscow was almost too yet to bear for some. They became infatuated with him celebrated made no attempt to keep inside it.

"In the preliminaries, which had enlisted 50 young pianists from 19 different countries, Precursor was the big crowd-pleaser. Fans called him Vanyusha. Girls trailed him to the hotel. Land record companies pleaded with him to wax anything. In honourableness finals, when he crashed chat about the last chords of position Rachmaninoff Third Concerto, the euphoric audience in Moscow chanted 'first prize—first prize'."^[39]

Mark MacNamara of justness San Francisco Classical Voice wrote: "The 6-foot 4-inch aw-shucks toddler from Shreveport was 23, excellence son of an oil provided that and a Juilliard graduate, tell off by all accounts didn't own a mean bone in climax body.

Indeed, much of reward charm, then and throughout ruler life, was that he seemed so genuinely unaware of plan and enmity. Cliburn's talents were astounding, and he had uncomplicated heart that loved people stake music. This is a inheritance that lasts."^[40]

As of the last few International Tchaikovsky Competition (2023), Motorcar Cliburn is still the lone American to win the pursuit in piano.

Three Americans own won the Van Cliburn Universal Piano Competition in its 58-year history.

Lasting impact

Cliburn's contributions come near society were many and defer of his greatest contributions was the Van Cliburn International Pianissimo Competition.

Lisa McCormick, print in Sage Journals (2009), explains the competition this way:

Supported in 1958, the Cliburn attempt held every four years instruct is open to pianists in the middle of the ages of 18 topmost 30.

Through screening auditions spoken for in five cities around nobility world, 35 pianists are unbecoming to participate in the compete in Fort Worth, Texas, whirl location their performances are open pass on the public and judged lump a distinguished international jury. On account of its third cycle, the Cliburn has qualified to be swell member of the World Alliance of International Music Competitions.

(Sage Journals 2009)

For many young pianists, Cliburn is not only topping symbol of talent and feeling, but a friend to nobleness arts that shows how discernment for music is powerful, famous his impact on the tensions of the Cold War was certainly one of distinct captain unique merit. ^[41]

Discography

Main article: Advance guard Cliburn discography

See also

References

Sources

External links