Why The Russians Fell In Love With Van Cliburn
For the final round in the 1958 Tchaikovsky Competition Van Cliburn played Tchaikovsky’s Concerto No. 1 in B Flat (below) after having played Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2 in C Minor. This was the clincher. All of the hours spent with Rosina Lehvinne had helped Van understand the essence of Russian music which he combined with his own love of the piece.
He Loved Russia But They Loved Him More
As the image at the top of the page shows, the Russian women were enthralled with Van, throwing flowers on the stage and trying to get as close to the famous pianist as possible. They even nicknamed him “Vanya”.
He tried to reciprocate by mingling with them after grueling concerts. Once, in Moscow, one of his American friends had to lock him into his hotel room before he dropped from exhaustion receiving the glad-handers and autograph seekers who streamed in all through the night.
A Final Touching Moment: He Played “Moscow Nights”
Not many people know this, but after his performance in the 1958 Tchaikovsky Competition, he sat down again at the piano, much to the surprise of both the orchestra and audience. He then played his own variation on the beloved song “Moscow Nights”.
Watch the video (left) to enjoy the reaction of the Russian people. This simple gesture endeared him to them forever.
“The Russians Conquered My Heart”
Van Cliburn once said “The Russians conquered my heart.” So, he returned to Russia to perform several times after his victory in the 1958 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition.
In 1960 Van Cliburn made his first return visit to Russia. He performed a series of concerts in Moscow and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), which were met with immense enthusiasm from the Russian audience.
In 1962, Van Cliburn returned to Russia once again for a concert tour. He played in Moscow and Leningrad, captivating audiences with his virtuosity and musicality.
Van Cliburn’s next visit to Russia took place in 1966. He performed in Moscow and Leningrad, receiving a warm reception from the Russian people.
1987: His Russian Ambassador Role Continues
After a gap of more than 20 years, Van Cliburn returned to Russia in 1987 for a highly anticipated concert tour. His performances in Moscow and Leningrad were met with great excitement, and he received standing ovations from the audience.
That same year he was invited by Ronald Reagan to play at the White House to play for Russian Premier Mikhail Gorbachev and his entourage. He had not played publicly in the US for 9 years.
As the video below shows, his love of the Russian people continued to shine through.
The National Medal Of Arts Award
On March 2, 2011 President Barack Obama honored Mr. Cliburn with the National Medal of Arts in a ceremony at the White House. The National Medal of Arts is the highest honor given to artists and art patrons by the United States Government and acknowledges the extraordinary lifetime achievements of those individuals who have made a lasting impact on the country’s cultural landscape.
President Obama recognized Van Cliburn’s achievements when announcing his death in February 2013 by saying: “His music transcended the challenges of international politics and contributed to an unlikely thaw in Cold War relations. He was truly a man of his moment. Like every President since Harry Truman, I enjoyed the privilege of hearing Mr. Cliburn play, and I am confident that the enduring beauty of his art will sustain his legendary status for years to come.”
