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Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78

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Pianist Van Cliburn, one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century and winner of the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, has died from bone cancer at the age of 78, US media reported on Wednesday.

Pianist Van Cliburn, one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century and winner of the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, has died from bone cancer at the age of 78, US media reported on Wednesday.

© RIA Novosti . Michael Oserskii / Go to the mediabankPianist Van Cliburn, one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century and winner of the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, has died from bone cancer at the age of 78, US media reported.

Photo: Van Cliburn receives a gold medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition from prominent Soviet composer Dmitry Shostakovich (right). 1958.

Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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Pianist Van Cliburn, one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century and winner of the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958, has died from bone cancer at the age of 78, US media reported.

Photo: Van Cliburn receives a gold medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition from prominent Soviet composer Dmitry Shostakovich (right). 1958.

© RIA Novosti . Michael Oserskii / Go to the mediabankAt the age of 23, Van Cliburn conquered millions of Russian hearts and achieved instant international fame when he won the Tchaikovsky Competition.
Photo: Van Cliburn performing Tchaikovsky’s Concerto No. 1 at the competition in Moscow in 1958.

Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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At the age of 23, Van Cliburn conquered millions of Russian hearts and achieved instant international fame when he won the Tchaikovsky Competition.
Photo: Van Cliburn performing Tchaikovsky’s Concerto No. 1 at the competition in Moscow in 1958.

© RIA Novosti . V. Malyshev / Go to the mediabankVan Cliburn was dubbed the “American Sputnik,” as his victory followed the triumphant launch of the Soviet Sputnik, an artificial Earth satellite.
Photo: Van Cliburn with his Russian friends in the town of Ruza, near Moscow. 1960.

Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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Van Cliburn was dubbed the “American Sputnik,” as his victory followed the triumphant launch of the Soviet Sputnik, an artificial Earth satellite.
Photo: Van Cliburn with his Russian friends in the town of Ruza, near Moscow. 1960.

© RIA Novosti . Michael Oserskii / Go to the mediabankVan Cliburn began piano lessons at the age of three under the watchful eye of his mother, a piano teacher (photo).
Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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Van Cliburn began piano lessons at the age of three under the watchful eye of his mother, a piano teacher (photo).
© RIA Novosti . Michael Oserskii / Go to the mediabankAfter winning the Tchaikovsky Competition, Van Cliburn became an idol in the Soviet Union.
Photo: Van Cliburn with his fans after a concert in Moscow. 1958.

Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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After winning the Tchaikovsky Competition, Van Cliburn became an idol in the Soviet Union.
Photo: Van Cliburn with his fans after a concert in Moscow. 1958.

© RIA Novosti . ShkolniyIn Moscow, the pianist was mobbed by admirers.
Photo: Van Cliburn buried in flowers during a concert at the Moscow Conservatory. 1962.

Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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In Moscow, the pianist was mobbed by admirers.
Photo: Van Cliburn buried in flowers during a concert at the Moscow Conservatory. 1962.

© RIA Novosti . V. Malyshev / Go to the mediabankAfter his sensational victory, Van Cliburn returned to the Soviet Union on several occasions. “It was a dream coming here. When I was five years old, I wanted to come here. So, all my life, I carry with me Russia,” the pianist said in a 2009 interview with RIA Novosti.
Photo: Van Cliburn walks with friends in the town of Ruza, near Moscow. 1960.

Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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After his sensational victory, Van Cliburn returned to the Soviet Union on several occasions. “It was a dream coming here. When I was five years old, I wanted to come here. So, all my life, I carry with me Russia,” the pianist said in a 2009 interview with RIA Novosti.
Photo: Van Cliburn walks with friends in the town of Ruza, near Moscow. 1960.

© RIA Novosti . Oleg Makarov / Go to the mediabankVan Cliburn became the first classical musician whose album, with his Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 recording of 1958, sold one million copies.
Photo: Van Cliburn performing in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) in 1972.

Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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Van Cliburn became the first classical musician whose album, with his Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 recording of 1958, sold one million copies.
Photo: Van Cliburn performing in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) in 1972.

© RIA Novosti . V.BorodinCliburn won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
Photo: Van Cliburn wearing a national Georgian costume. 1962.

Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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Cliburn won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
Photo: Van Cliburn wearing a national Georgian costume. 1962.

© RIA Novosti . Yury Abramochkin / Go to the mediabankCliburn played at a White House state dinner in 1987 during Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s visit to Washington and Gorbachev was so moved, he leapt to his feet to give Cliburn a bear-hug and kisses on the cheeks.
Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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Cliburn played at a White House state dinner in 1987 during Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s visit to Washington and Gorbachev was so moved, he leapt to his feet to give Cliburn a bear-hug and kisses on the cheeks.
© RIA Novosti . Sergei Guneev / Go to the mediabankIn 2004, the pianist received the Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation award from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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In 2004, the pianist received the Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation award from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Vyatkin / Go to the mediabankIn 2009, Van Cliburn paid his last visit to Russia and gave a master class at the Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Center in Moscow.
Legendary Pianist Van Cliburn Dies at 78 - Sputnik International
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In 2009, Van Cliburn paid his last visit to Russia and gave a master class at the Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Center in Moscow.
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