Van Cliburn, Pianist, Dead at Age 78

vienna · 02-27-13, 02:21 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/ar...anted=all&_r=0

Even though I was rather young at the time (age 7), I do still recall all the hoopla raised up when Van Cliburn won the competition. He was everywhere; newspapers, radio television, magazines, etc. He even had the honor to be chided in the pages of MAD magazine (where I became most aware of who he was). In thinking back to that time, it is interesting to note the abundance of classical music on broadcast network television in the 50s and early 60s. There was the series of Young People concerts with Berstein, any number of showcases sponsored by major corporations, opera perfomances and other cultural events, particularly in the early 50s since TV set were a fairly expensive item and the more affluent buyers weren't likely to buy a set just to watch Soupy Sales...

RIP, Van Cliburn and thanks for helping to elevate not only our national spirits but, also, our artistic spirits...

<O>

Takeda Shingen · 02-27-13, 06:35 PM

Such an incredible loss. His 1972 recording of Brahms No. 2 is my all-time favorite performance of the piece. May you rest in peace, good sir.

EDIT: Found the Brahms No. 2. Audio quality is kind of meh, but here it is:

Sailor Steve · 02-27-13, 09:31 PM

I was too young to appreciate him at the time, and have only developed a feel for classical music in the last year or two. I'm sorry to see him go, but he had a good long life, and fame and fortune. His personal misfortunes are a sad story, but one with which many can identify. I hope he found some peace in all the confusion.

Tak, thanks for the link. I'm not enough of a true audiophile to distinguish the sound, and am currently enjoying it.

02-27-13, 02:21 PM	#1
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,711 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Van Cliburn, Pianist, Dead at Age 78 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/ar...anted=all&_r=0 Even though I was rather young at the time (age 7), I do still recall all the hoopla raised up when Van Cliburn won the competition. He was everywhere; newspapers, radio television, magazines, etc. He even had the honor to be chided in the pages of MAD magazine (where I became most aware of who he was). In thinking back to that time, it is interesting to note the abundance of classical music on broadcast network television in the 50s and early 60s. There was the series of Young People concerts with Berstein, any number of showcases sponsored by major corporations, opera perfomances and other cultural events, particularly in the early 50s since TV set were a fairly expensive item and the more affluent buyers weren't likely to buy a set just to watch Soupy Sales... RIP, Van Cliburn and thanks for helping to elevate not only our national spirits but, also, our artistic spirits... <O> __________________ __________________________________________________ __

02-27-13, 06:35 PM	#2
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Such an incredible loss. His 1972 recording of Brahms No. 2 is my all-time favorite performance of the piece. May you rest in peace, good sir. EDIT: Found the Brahms No. 2. Audio quality is kind of meh, but here it is: Last edited by Takeda Shingen; 02-27-13 at 06:52 PM.

02-27-13, 09:31 PM	#3
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I was too young to appreciate him at the time, and have only developed a feel for classical music in the last year or two. I'm sorry to see him go, but he had a good long life, and fame and fortune. His personal misfortunes are a sad story, but one with which many can identify. I hope he found some peace in all the confusion. Tak, thanks for the link. I'm not enough of a true audiophile to distinguish the sound, and am currently enjoying it. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo