12/07/1934, Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.A. - 27/02/2013, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
American pianist who, at the age of 23, achieved worldwide recognition when he won the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958. Cliburn developed a rich, round tone and a singing-voice-like phrasing, having been taught from the start to sing each piece. He capitalised his success at Tchaikovsky Competition toured domestically and overseas playing mostly Tchaikovsky works. He played for royalty, heads of state, and every US president from Harry S. Truman to Barack Obama. He had cult status same as a rock-star in the USSR. The biggest Cliburn's contribution to society was the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition first held in 1962.
