Kilgore
College is saddened to hear the news of the passing of Van Cliburn, who grew up in Kilgore and became one of the most famous
classical musicians of the 20th century.
Cliburn,
a resident of Fort Worth since 1986, died this morning at the age of
78.
According to Dr. Bill
Holda, KC president, Cliburn is among the most distinguished alumni of Kilgore
College. Cliburn attended summer classes at KC in 1951 and
1952.
"He was a
once-in-a-lifetime musician who in many ways was bigger than life," Holda said.
"Whether on the musical stage or the international political stage, he was a
signature individual."
Harvey Lavan "Van"
Cliburn Jr. was not only a talented musician, but was also a great benefactor to
the college. Giving music scholarships or making donations, he was always
interested in promoting music education not only at KC, but around the
world.
Born in Shreveport,
La., in 1934 to Harvey Lavan Cliburn and Rildia Bee O'Bryan Cliburn, his family
moved to Kilgore when he was six years old.
When he was 12 years
old he won his first piano competition. In 1948, he performed at New York
City's prestigious Carnegie Hall as the winner of the National Music Festival.
At age 17 he began
studying at Julliard, and in 1958 at the age of 22 he broke into the
international music scene as the winner of the first Tchaikovsky International
Competition in Moscow.
After winning the
competition, he was featured in media publications nationwide including the
cover of Time Magazine with the title "The Texan Who Conquered
Russia."
Cliburn's performance
of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto sold more than three million copies and
was the first classical recording to reach platinum recording
status.
"He was so humble
about it all," said Annette Morgan, KC's director of financial aid and close
friend of Cliburn.
"Mrs. Cliburn was so
proud of her son and was so instrumental in his success," Morgan said. "When Van
was very young, his mother, who was an outstanding musician herself and a piano
instructor, heard what she assumed was one of her students playing in the other
room. But she was surprised to see that it was her three-year old son playing
beautiful music on the piano."
At that point, Morgan
said Cliburn's mother told him that if he wanted to pursue playing the piano
that he must learn the proper way to play.
"She was such an
encouragement to him," Morgan said. "She was so proud of the generous man that
he became, and also how humble he was despite his
success."
Holda said Kilgore
College will always cherish the long and warm relationship the college has
enjoyed with Cliburn through the years.
"His legacy and his
music will continue to endure for many years henceforth," Holda said. "We
extend our love and sympathy to the many individuals who have not only been
affected by his life, but also with his death."
