Van Cliburn, R.I.P.

[bevo barry]

The Texan who conquered the Soviet Union

 

[Jim Bob]

When I was a kid, we used to see Van at the Highland Park Cafeteria in Dallas. My Dad knew him, and we occasionally chatted as we stood in line together. I remember him laughing when I asked him if he liked The Beatles. I also recall shaking his hand and thinking that he must have the longest fingers on earth. He was a nice guy with courtly Southern manners. In his time he was an enormous celebrity in the classical music world and was a particular favorite of Russian audiences. RIP

 

[Texanne]

The phrase "brilliant talent" is bandied about to the point that it has been diluted to the consistency of tap water, but this man truly was a brilliant genius.

May he rest in peace.

 

[OldHippie]

I remember when he won that prize. I was just a tyke and it was big news in Dallas.

 

[WorsterMan]

RIP Van Cliburn

I too was a kid (living in FW) when he won vs. the Soviet and it was a big deal - my Mom was a big fan of his and she made sure me and my brother only knew who he was and what he achieved, but she also took us to a couple of his competitions back in the early to mid-60's.

 

[J.R.69]

UT's Cultural Entertainment Committee brought Van Cliburn to UT for a concert held in Gregory Gym in Spring, '59.

I was a Freshman then and it was a wonderful concert, acoustics notwithstanding.