The Pianist

The Pianist

2/27/13




Mankind is once again periled by another great loss.  And once again this loss will not be heavily publicized since the person who has passed did not regularly make headlines.  However, the person that we did lose did play a major role in an event that enveloped the world for over 50 yrs.  This person was not a famous entertainment personality nor was he a great orator on the political stage, yet his actions sparked a general warming between two societies that showed everyone in the world that even though we have differences of opinions concerning issues, all of us have at least one thing in common that links us all together. 

After World War II, one time allies began to argue over territory and other “valued” principles.  While this type of scene usually plays out after any conflict is completed, this example of division extended for decades and completely took over the world.  It was not a surprise event for millions of people saw it coming while WWII was still concluding.  However, many probably did not realize how much this game would dominate nations for decades to come.  Everyone was not giving an inch of ground in any way yet people were hungry for peace and would try to achieve this goal at almost any cost.

After years of trying to find some common ground an idea was proposed that really was a brilliant stroke of solitude for a weary world.  The year was 1958 and tensions were still running high between the two ideological worlds, but one side decided to throw out an olive branch by hosting the first ever International Tchaikovsky Competition.  The event was to be held in Moscow and would be open to anyone who met the musical requirements; politics aside for this event.

Artists from around the world applied and were accepted to play for the top prize.  As stated in the competition standards, it did not matter where the contestants came from nor did it matter what their political or religious beliefs were, all were welcomed to compete.  There were more than one musical category of course and hundreds of applicants entered the competition.  1958 was the first year for the competition and since it was being held in a Communist country no one in the western world would have ever guessed the results.

If you know Russian music history, you will be familiar with a composer by the name of Pyotr I Tchaikovsky.  His pictures still hang in thousands of buildings throughout Russia and they adorn the walls of every musical palace within the same country.  The competition was even named for him and so that name still continues to this day.  The competition has grown considerably over the decades and still stands as one of the top musical events in the world.

In 1958, a young, tall, and skinny Texan applied to the event and not really expecting to be chosen since he has no international experience and really no competitive background to withstand this type of competition.  Yet, by many people’s surprise he was chosen to represent the USA in the piano competition.  Of course no one had any idea of the success that his performance would have, not only in the eyes of the Russian people but also in the hearts of the world.

The classical music scene in the United States up until then was very slim and usually limited to the film industry.  This type of music was readily rejected by the mainstream media and magazines in favor for the Jazz, Blues and Rock music scenes.  Yes, classical music was around and many people listened to it but it was not a part of their world so it was considered a secondary class of music for the majority; it is sad to say that classical music is still considered in this class today, but some of us continue to hope for changes.

Van Cliburn showed up in Moscow with his heart in his throat I would imagine since he was going into a foreign land that was once an ally but now is considered to be your arch enemy.  The people of Russia had no real idea of how the American people lived, nor did they understand just how much difference there was between the two societies.  They did however understand that the people from other countries that came to perform for them understood music and that it was a common bond that each one of them shared.  Somewhere deep within their minds and hearts all of them must have thought about this connection as a stepping stone for peace at some point during the competition.

Cliburn pulled off the upset of the century by winning the piano competition in 1958.  No one ever thought that this kid from Texas could play in this type of competition and succeed.  Succeed he did and he even chose to play the heart of the Russian musical world by superbly playing Tchaikovsky’s 1st Piano Concerto.  The Russian people instantly fell in love with the Texan and welcomed his performance as if one of their own national musicians had played the work.  The cameras were filled with onlookers who were stretching out their arms to shake the hands of the American that had so brilliantly interpreted their musical idols work.  It was a feat that took the world by surprise and even though many will say that it played no part in the Cold War, I know that it did.

It is not always the big shot politicians or diplomats that get things started.  Most of the time it is those types of people who get their names in the headlines when all of the deals are completed, but it is usually some “small fry” behind the scenes that actually gets the process started or fuels the fire to get the job done.  Today Van Cliburn passed away after a battle with cancer.    I did not hear the news on the local or national news media but caught it on one of the symphony pages that I follow.  Yet it was news that touched my musical heart in a special way knowing all of what he had accomplished for the musical world and inadvertently political stage.  I never had met this man, and I know that he was not perfect by any means, yet I admired the man that had done so much for the worldly good.

He was never a huge politician and he surely was not recognizable to the common person on the street.  He was just a tall Texan who went to play in a competition and came out as a world hero.  It does not matter who you are or what you believe, but God has given each one of us a special talent and it is our duty to make sure that our talents are manifested to the world on a daily basis.  You might never make it to the “big leagues” but that is ok and you may never have a Hollywood Star in the concrete, but when you utilize your talents you will know that you have been successful in achieving one of your purposes in life.  Always strive in your talents and be happy when you see the results, for that is something that no man, woman, government, idea or philosophy can ever take away from you.  So sleep well Van Cliburn and may God bless you and everyone in your family.






DLB