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Mr. Van Cliburn is a classical pianist who brought honor to our country in 1958 when he won the 1st Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. Americans beamed with pride to see a young performer from our country play with such skill and style in front of an international audience. His dedication and talent drew admiration for classical music at a time when the space rocket Sputnik had focused many on science and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union was strong. How did such a young man become such an skillful musician?
Van Cliburn was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on July 12, 1934, the son of Harvey Lavan Cliburn and Rildia (Ril-da) Bee O'Bryan Cliburn. He began studying piano with his mother at age three. She had studied under Arthur Friedheim, a student of Franz Liszt, teachers well known for their talent and skill.
Mr. Cliburn moved to Texas when he was six years old, and won a Texas competition when he was twelve. In 1948 he played in the prestigious Carnegie Hall as the winner of the National Music Festival Award.
When he was 17, Van Cliburn went to Julliard, a school for outstanding performers. Within the three years he attended this school he won four more competitions. These successes gave him the experience needed to perform so well at the international, or worldwide level.
Six months after the launch of Sputnik propelled the world into the space age, Mr. Cliburn won the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, proving the power of the arts to bring unity even in the midst of strong rivalry. A famous American tradition, the tickertape parade, was held in New York City to honor Van Cliburn's accomplishment.
His talent drew interest to classical music around the world. His recording of the Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1 went platinum, selling over 1.000,000 copies! He decided to use his skill and fame to support other young musicians through the Van Cliburn International Music Competition, begun in 1962. This competition is held in Fort Worth every four years and draws worldwide attention as pianists from many countries come here to compete for prizes which will advance their careers as musicians. This competition draws international attention to young musicians, bringing interest and support to classical music. Mr. Cliburn has generously devoted his time and talent to promote classical music in our time, and for generations to come.