Van Cliburn: Cold War, Warm Hearts

 
In 1958, at the height of the Cold War, a young pianist from Fort Worth, Texas, named Van Cliburn went to Moscow. Stunningly, he returned with the top prize in the First International Tchaikovsky Competition and the adoration of his Russian audiences – so clearly reflected in this photograph of Cliburn performing at the Moscow Conservatory following his victory. His triumphant return was greeted with a ticker-tape parade in New York City, the only time a classical musician has ever been honored with the highest tribute possible by that city. Cliburn has since been inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame, presented with the Kennedy Center Honors medallion, and given the Presidential Medal of Freedom. At the Grammy Awards last February, the ageless pianist was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Van Cliburn Foundation today continues to launch and nuture young artists’ careers through the quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and to introduce new audiences to the inspiration of classical music.