For classical piano fans....

Subject: For classical piano fans....
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 19 May 05 - 11:27 AM

The Van Cliburn Piano competition starts Friday May 20th here in my home town of Ft Worth Texas. It's a pretty big deal in the classical music world if you're into contests. For the first year you'll be able to check in and hear the performances on the web - if you're willing to listen over the little speakers that come with your computer. Anyway - you can watch the progress of the performers at:

www.cliburn.org

Subject: RE: For classical piano fans....
From: Wesley S
Date: 31 May 05 - 05:55 PM

We're down to the finals this week if y'all are interested.

Subject: RE: For classical piano fans....
From: open mike
Date: 31 May 05 - 05:59 PM

will they ship the british "piano man" there to compete?
maybe someone will finally recognize him!

Subject: RE: For classical piano fans....
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 31 May 05 - 07:10 PM

I doubt it - the open portion of the competition was over a long time ago....

Subject: RE: For classical piano fans....
From: Amos
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 01:01 AM

This video is one of the most heart-warming expositions on why beautiful music is for everyone that I have ever seen. I love Benjamin Zander, and this is his best sort of stuff. Here's the blurb:

"Since 1979, Benjamin Zander has been the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic. He is known around the world as both a guest conductor and a speaker on leadership -- and he's been known to do both in a single performance. He uses music to help people open their minds and create joyful harmonies that bring out the best in themselves and their colleagues. In this TED Talk video, Benjamin Zander does his magic yet again -- he talks about classical music, life, and throws in some Chopin for good measure."

Subject: RE: For classical piano fans....
From: Ron Davies
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 05:54 PM

Ft. Worth, eh?   Has it always been in Ft. Worth?   All I know about Ft. Worth is in the context of Bob Wills, and later Willie Nelson--and there seems to have been quite a rivalry between Dallas and Ft. Worth.

Did Van Cliburn ever play this as a special concert at this?   Did you ever have a chance to see him?

I remember reading recently a story about another American pianist who went to play in Russia soon after Van Cliburn's trip there, and the audience had to be won over--all they wanted at the start was Van Cliburn again.   But the new man did in fact win them over eventually..

Subject: RE: For classical piano fans....
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 07:03 PM

If you haven't seen it, look up a source (I use Netflix) for The Cliburn: Playing on the Edge! Produced in 2001, I'm assuming from film taken at 2001's competition.

Wonderful music from great up-coming artists in that year's competition, with interviews and insights into the terrible pressures of the competition. It's a two-sider or two disker, with the second being concert presentations of two entire concerti, straight through as opposed to the shots and excerpts shown the main documentary.

See it!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: For classical piano fans....
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 09:51 PM

The Van Cliburn Foundation has sponsored the competition since 1962.
To repeat the link by Wesley S., Van Cliburn Foundation

As I understand it, only members of the Van Cliburn Foundation can access the music on the net.

Subject: RE: For classical piano fans....
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Feb 09 - 10:02 PM

Van Cliburn lives here in Fort Worth, and the Cliburn Competition has always been held here. Fort Worth is not only "where the West begins," but it has a pretty hefty cultural footprint in the arts.

SRS