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performed publicly at the age of four, playing Bach’s C-Major Prelude. When he was six, the family moved to Kilgore, Texas, and Van continued his study of music under his mother, herself an accomplished pianist. Fame and success came rapidly. He won various awards and scholarships, and performed with symphonies and in recitals. His career seemed to have reached a peak in the years 1955-56, but in 1957 there was an inexplicable lull in his popularity. In spite of his rec ognition by musical authorities, and critical acclaim wherever he played, the demand for his services gradually decreased. He returned home to fill in for his mother as a piano teacher, since she was suffering from a bro ken vertebrae. While in Kilgore, he received a let ter from his Julliard School of Music teacher in New York, suggesting that he enter the Tchaikowsky Interna tional Piano Competition in Moscow in the Spring. For the next two months, Van shut himself away and spent six to eight hours a day practicing. His transpor tation to Moscow was provided by the Martha Baird Rockefeller Foun dation. Van won the contest, and he also won the hearts of the Russian people. He donated the prize money to the Moscow Baptist Church. In stead of being well-known only among lovers of classical music, overnight
There is uncertainty in the minds of many as to the reasons for his trips to Russia, and the significance, if any, of these trips. It is necessary to review his life very briefly to un derstand the reason for his first trip to Moscow in 1958. Van started out as a musical prod igy at the age of three, in his birth place, Shreveport, Louisiana. He first
There is probably not one among our readers who has not heard of Van Clibum, but very likely there are few who realized before reading this article that he is a Christian. Most information concerning Van Clibum has come through the secular press, with much emphasis on his rmlsical career and no mention of his Christian character.
Van Cliburn as he appeared during the Mexico City interview.
THE KING'S BUSINESS
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