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Van Cliburn Dies

Posted/updated on: February 28, 2013 at 11:22 am
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Van CliburnFORT WORTH (AP/Staff) The renowned American classical pianist Van Cliburn has died. He was 78. Cliburn was born in Louisiana and raised in Kilgore, where an auditorium at Kilgore College bears his name. His publicist and longtime friend Mary Lou Falcone told The Associated Press that Cliburn died Wednesday morning after suffering from bone cancer. Shed announced in late August that Cliburn had been diagnosed with advanced cancer and was being cared for at his home in Fort Worth.

Cliburns triumph at a Moscow competition in 1958 helped thaw the Cold War and launched a spectacular international career. Cliburn skyrocketed to fame after winning the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow at age 23. He returned to a New York ticker tape parade, a first for a classical musician. Hed performed for every president since Harry Truman, and for years devoted his time to the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

According to a news release from Kilgore College, the school is saddened to hear of Cliburns passing. KC President Dr. Bill Holda says Cliburn is among the colleges most distinguished alumni. 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. Holda said Kilgore College will always cherish the long and warm relationship the college has enjoyed with Cliburn through the years.



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