In the United States, this period followed the McCarthy Senate Hearings where anybody with the slightest, or even imagined, affiliation with communism was branded as subversive. To complicate matters, a few months prior to the Competition, on October 10, 1957, the Soviets had shocked the world by launching Sputnik, the first man-made satellite ever to orbit the earth. Americans had been beaten in the race to space. It was a devastating psychological blow. Sputnik symbolized the technological superiority of a totalitarian government. Even more frightening was the possibility that such rockets could carry atomic bombs. Americans feared communism would soon take over the world.
Enter 23-year-old Van Cliburn, child prodigy pianist from Kilgore, Texas. Cliburn was quite oblivious to the intrigues and posturings of international and military politics. Looking back, he'll admit to the fact that it "wasn't the friendliest of times between our nations."
Perhaps, it was Van's naiveté that served him so well. The Soviets detected his openness, spontaneity, and genuineness. They responded to his musical interpretations, many pieces of which had been composed by their own masters.
For the celebrated "masses" who chanced to hear Cliburn play one of the first live concerts ever televised nationwide throughout the USSR, he somehow didn't fit the stereotype of an "evil capitalist". For many, it was the first time they had ever seen an American, and they embraced him wholeheartedly.
Article comments
1 - Johno
Mike,
AMEN. AMEN.
If you want a real rock and roll mother-effer of a thrill, pick up any recordings you can find of Rachmoninoff playing his own piano music. I thought I knew what the piano was all about, since I played it for fifteen years and heard bunches of van Cliburn, Glenn Gould, Vladimir Ashkenazy (who also does great Beethoven) etc. But Rachmoninoff just HITS IT. I knew NOTHING.
If you thought Van Cliburn playing Beethoven was like being nailed to the cross (and I totally agree), listening to Rachmoninoff play his own stuff is like ascending to heaven afterwards. Rough, sweet, vivid, and amazing.
Also, the coolest thing about classical music is that you get to compare & contrast performances. Hearing Van C and Rachmaninoff go in totally different, mind-blowing directions on the same piece (the Rachmaninoff Concerto no.2 on the disc linked above is a good example) is miles better (in some ways) than listening to fifteen different versions of Louie Louie.
And anyone who can't see what this has to do with rock and roll isn't even deserving of your pity.
2 - Eric Olsen
Very beautiful Mike, thanks! I am always touched and edified by your contributions.
3 - Natalie Davis
Yes, yes: Rachmaninoff's piano music rawks!
What a fabulous post! Here's to those who consider music on its individual merits.
Love, a fan of both Mozart and Beethoven (and rockin' Rachmaninoff), who is running to put on the Emperor Concerto right now.