Van Cliburn

[4stringer77]

Sorry to learn of the passing of this legendary musician. He was a great ambassador of the power of music and it's ability to transcend politics even at the height of the cold war.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/van-cliburn-celebrated-classical-pianist-dies-at-78/2013/02/27/beb517ac-3636-11e1-afdf-67906fc95149_story.html

[Pilgrim]

Those of us with a lot of grey hair remember that Van Cliburn was indeed a BIG deal back in the cold war.  For an American to win a Russian competition in Russia was almost unheard-of.  The Soviets had real indigestion over it.

[gweimer]

A friend of Tom's and mine in Chicago took lessons from him.