April 13 was a Sunday in 1958, and in Moscow it culminated with Kilgore’s Van Cliburn winning the first International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition.
Public Domain video, 1962 – Van Cliburn performs Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No, 1 in B-flat minor, Op 23” with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, the same piece which elevated him to worldwide fame upon winning the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition.
(Top: Gateway to Russia Collection, Public Domain)
From the New York Times (1958)
“MOSCOW, Monday, April 14 — Van Cliburn, a 23-year-old American, has won the first prize in the Soviet Union’s international Tchaikovsky piano competition. Mr. Cliburn, a Southerner who lives in New York, triumphed in what had been regarded as a contest of extremely high standards over three young Soviet pianists and one from Communist China. The awards were voted late last night by a panel of sixteen jurors, including six leading Soviet musicians. Their choice clearly coincided with that of the Moscow public. Muscovites wildly cheered Mr. Cliburn´s performance in the finals Friday night.”
According to TheCliburn.org:
“At 23 years old, Van Cliburn achieved what many thought was impossible. He had gone to Russia and returned victorious. The Competition judges had to ask Nikita Khrushchev permission to award first place to an American, prompting Khrushchev to say, ‘Is he the best? Then give him the prize!’ Van’s victory turned him into an international celebrity overnight, and launched a legendary career that would last for the next five decades.”
From March 3, 2013:
Statement by the President on the Passing of Van Cliburn
“This week, we mark the passing of Van Cliburn, one of the most talented pianists of the last century and a musical artist of rare distinction. At the young age of 23, Mr. Cliburn swept the world off its feet with his winning performance at the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, and he quickly became a beloved ambassador of American culture around the world – especially in the former Soviet Union. 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. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Mr. Cliburn’s loved ones.”
