Pianist Van Cliburn, one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century and winner of the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, has died from bone cancer at the age of 78, US media reported on Wednesday.
Pianist Van Cliburn, one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century and winner of the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, has died from bone cancer at the age of 78, US media reported.
Photo: Van Cliburn receives a gold medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition from prominent Soviet composer Dmitry Shostakovich (right). 1958.
Photo: Van Cliburn receives a gold medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition from prominent Soviet composer Dmitry Shostakovich (right). 1958.
At the age of 23, Van Cliburn conquered millions of Russian hearts and achieved instant international fame when he won the Tchaikovsky Competition.
Photo: Van Cliburn performing Tchaikovsky’s Concerto No. 1 at the competition in Moscow in 1958.
Photo: Van Cliburn performing Tchaikovsky’s Concerto No. 1 at the competition in Moscow in 1958.
Van Cliburn was dubbed the “American Sputnik,” as his victory followed the triumphant launch of the Soviet Sputnik, an artificial Earth satellite.
Photo: Van Cliburn with his Russian friends in the town of Ruza, near Moscow. 1960.
Photo: Van Cliburn with his Russian friends in the town of Ruza, near Moscow. 1960.
Van Cliburn began piano lessons at the age of three under the watchful eye of his mother, a piano teacher (photo).
After winning the Tchaikovsky Competition, Van Cliburn became an idol in the Soviet Union.
Photo: Van Cliburn with his fans after a concert in Moscow. 1958.
Photo: Van Cliburn with his fans after a concert in Moscow. 1958.
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© RIA Novosti . Shkolniy
In Moscow, the pianist was mobbed by admirers.
Photo: Van Cliburn buried in flowers during a concert at the Moscow Conservatory. 1962.
Photo: Van Cliburn buried in flowers during a concert at the Moscow Conservatory. 1962.
After his sensational victory, Van Cliburn returned to the Soviet Union on several occasions. “It was a dream coming here. When I was five years old, I wanted to come here. So, all my life, I carry with me Russia,” the pianist said in a 2009 interview with RIA Novosti.
Photo: Van Cliburn walks with friends in the town of Ruza, near Moscow. 1960.
Photo: Van Cliburn walks with friends in the town of Ruza, near Moscow. 1960.
Van Cliburn became the first classical musician whose album, with his Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 recording of 1958, sold one million copies.
Photo: Van Cliburn performing in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) in 1972.
Photo: Van Cliburn performing in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) in 1972.
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© RIA Novosti . V.Borodin
Cliburn won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
Photo: Van Cliburn wearing a national Georgian costume. 1962.
Photo: Van Cliburn wearing a national Georgian costume. 1962.
Cliburn played at a White House state dinner in 1987 during Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s visit to Washington and Gorbachev was so moved, he leapt to his feet to give Cliburn a bear-hug and kisses on the cheeks.
In 2004, the pianist received the Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation award from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In 2009, Van Cliburn paid his last visit to Russia and gave a master class at the Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Center in Moscow.
