Van was a beautiful, kind, funny and sweet person. There was an aura of goodness, of genius which emanated from him. We spoke of our love for Russian romanticism and for the Russian people. He played "Widmung" at my request - I had told him it was my favorite and no one played it as beautifully as he. He was a phenomenal pianist and the kindest, most genuine person I have ever met. I will never forget him and miss him terribly.
Unfortunately, all those qualities won't get you into heaven. Like so many other lost people, he didn't know the first thing about God or didn't care, as practicing homosexuals never do. As a result, he had no relationship with Jesus and never repented for his sin when repentance is required for salvation. He was just another occasional church goer who thought he could buy his way into heaven with a big money donation that put a world class musical instrument in a church - a fancy organ named after his mother. He was so misguided and wrong. For believers, don't be surprised if we get to heaven and find out 'The Cliburn Curse' is very real. (google it). Throw flowers on the Moscow conservatory stage all you want, they will wither and die. Throw ticker tape parades all you want, God is not impressed. The Bible says Van Cliburn is in hell, and no one is authorized to re-write it. Only Jesus grants everlasting life. truediscipleship.com/a-great-man-has-fallen-van-cliburn-is-a-homosexual/
@@JoeDoe2 What a nasty, vile, self-righteous, despicable person you are. You're seething with obvious jealousy and are the worst example of Christianity. In stark contrast, Van Cliburn was the kindest, most humble and Christian person I have ever met. He was also a true musical genius and his Legend as one of the greatest concert pianists of all time will live forever. You're just a loser!
@@JoeDoe2 You, my friend, need a male sex partner asap. (Or female if you're a woman) And never stop making love for at least four weeks. That will cure your extreme psychosis. Nobody cares if you're gay. Get over it and stop spewing your creepy nonsense.
I was flabbergasted that a blind pianist could play at the Cliburn contest level and actually win. But then two wonderful examples of pianists with this handicap came to mind, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles at the top of the art form.
A privilege indeed to have seen and heard this documentary of a musician who had a tremendous impact on my love for the classics. Thank you so much for making this documentary. At 71, I still play the piano and have played professional since I was 17... mostly playing for school and church.
What a fabulous documentary! I got to attend preliminaries when I was a freshman at TCU. Incredible to think that in those days, we just walked right into Ed Landreth auditorium and watched all these incredible musicians. A blessing.
Van Cliburn was the epitome of what a classical pianist is. I studied classical music too, and I would never have come close to the excellence he brought to his playing. I'm happy that he led a happy life, and that people respected his privacy in a world where being gay automatically stamps you as being this or that. Mr. Cliburn was a class act, a wonderful human being, and a gift to expressing the music that others had composed. His passion for his interpretations of those masterpieces will never be duplicated. He made them his own, and I loved them and him❤!
This is a powerful biography. That concerto always gives me goosebumps or a lump in my throat. Thank you Van Cliburn for opening a world of beautiful music not only for me but hopefully for many others.
Beautifully done; thank you to everyone involved--everyone. And of course, thank you to Van Cliburn. An authentic hero, legend, artist, and beautiful, generous human being. An angel on earth, as someone below said--- :)
I went into a Salvation Army and came upon the 1958 album of Van Cliburn's Tchaikovsky Concerto #1! I love Tchaikovsky's music and upon listening I was so happy to learn of Van Cliburn and wish I had known of him sooner!! But in my heart of hearts it was ALWAYS his recording that I grew to be so fond of but just never knew who performed it! It's completed a big circle for me to know it was him. Powerful performance. Immeasurable talent and love behind every note. I'm sure whoever had to donate this gem clearly didn't know what they were giving away, but as they say "one man's trash is another mans treasure". 🎶🙌🏽💯💕💖 #vancliburnliveson #salvationarmy
Just curious if the piano that Van played where the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958 is. I think it would be something worthy of the Smithsonian Institution. It would be great to see it.
2021: Van Cliburn had only 2/Concertos to play. when he won in Moscow. Now 10 Concertos are required! I attended his San Jose,CA. Concert! Jon Nakamatsu, winner from San Jose studied under my Juilliard PhD teacher too.
It might sound a wee bit disparaging but looking at the list of gold & silver medallists, none them - apart maybe from Lupu (Ortiz?) - became what you might call a well known international star. Quite a few I've never heard of. see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Cliburn_International_Piano_Competition
What a shame that classical music, and indeed all the arts, are given no respect any longer. We have raised several generations, now, of troglodytes. Exceptions noted.
I only saw whites and Asians. How come the NAACP does not protest the absence of blacks in the van Cliburn Competition? They should propose the adoption of Affirmative Action there, too. Whatever happened to the principles of "inclusion" and "diversity" in US society???
The musical edits are atrocious. This coming from a MUSIC competition documentary? The Cliburn, of all events? Absolutely absurd. I can't watch it past those ghastly opening minutes with the butchered Tschaikowsky. What editor or director would allow this? Shame on all involved.
