It was very sad to me to hear that Van Cliburn passed away today (I can't believe no one has posted on it yet). I knew he had been quite ill last summer. He was one of my favorite pianists and was a true American hero. His Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no.1 was the first ever classical record to sell a million records, and he was the only musician to receive a ticker-tape parade in NY City. He was a "pedagogical uncle" to me (he and one of my teachers were pupils at the same time in the same studio). I heard that he was allowed the priviledge of serving as Honorary Judge at the 2011 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition and was litterally swamped by all the admireres still in Russia.

This was even broadcast on Dutch radio, such was VC's star status. I thought of posting it, but, as his bio mentions Rosa Lhevinne, I knew Eddy would. Here's any amusing memento of this great artist : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lUFFZqXtoM

I've seen this one; it's fun. He demonstrates such winsome charm.

Eddy, I'm glad you posted something. We certainly do need to recognize his passing.

Eddy, thanks for the post. I am embarrased to say I didn't know who Van Cliburn was, besides seeing his name in a post called "van cliburn competition" in one of the forum chapters since I have viewed this thread. He was of course before my time, I read his heyday was back in 1958 when he won the Tchaikovksy Int'l Piano Competition. I can somewhat relate to this as he was 23 then, and that's how old I am currently. But winning such a huge competition like that at my age... that's really something to admire!

This one hurts. I still remember his first appearances on TV (because I was allowed to watch them - music shows were about the only things my folks let me watch in the 50's) and how agog the adults were at his playing.
Later in life I rediscovered his recordings and was *very* moved by them. Always a musician, never a showoff. And what power.

I too was saddened by the passing of Van Cliburn. In 1958 when he won the first Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow during the Cold War, I was 14 at the time, and his winning the competition was huge news at my teacher's studio as well as around the world. He greatly moved Russian audiences with his very romantic style of playing. Shortly before that, the U.S.S.R. had successfully launched its Sputnik satellite. The U.S. sorely needed a victory and Van Cliburn provided it. And, of course, he was accorded a ticker tape parade upon his return to New York City--probably the only classical pianist in history to be so honored! I bought his LP with the Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1 and I equally loved his Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 3, both with Kiril Kondrashin conducting. I would have to say that Van Cliburn was a hero in my eyes and a positive influence in my piano playing. He touched multitudes with his artistry and gentle ways. He'll be greatly missed. His Van Cliburn Competition is an enduring legacy and will continue to help new generations of young pianists. May Van Cliburn rest in peace.

David