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Lithos

(26,638 posts)

26. I used to do technical theatre in Ft. Worth

Reply to Faygo Kid (Original post)

Wed Feb 27, 2013, 04:39 PM

Feb 2013

As one of the treats, I worked a few special fundraisers for the Ft. Worth Community Theatre. One time they got Helen Hayes and her son James MacArthur to reminisce. Great show, but it also was Mrs. Hayes' birthday, so as a special surprise someone got Van Cliburn to come out and perform Happy Birthday to her.

Did get to spend a few minutes with him in the Green Room prior to the performance. Very shy and quiet man. Very considerate and very nice. Also got to hear him warm up before hand and he went thru a few classical riffs. Exercises to him, small vignettes of bliss for me.

Truly one of those Zen moments in life.

RIP in Mr. Cliburn.

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Highlight:

American pianist Van Cliburn, whose 1958 triumph at a Moscow competition impressed world, dies [View all] Faygo Kid Feb 2013 OP

He was a wonderful pianist. RIP. sinkingfeeling Feb 2013 #1

(Cliburn)Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 Mvt III pinto Feb 2013 #2

Thanks for posting this erronis Feb 2013 #25

RIP to an outstanding musician. nt antigop Feb 2013 #3

RIP and join the music of the spheres... Hekate Feb 2013 #4

He brought joy to so many Mopar151 Feb 2013 #5

Strange, I Was Listening To Cliburn's "My Favorite Chopin" Just Yesterday. Paladin Feb 2013 #6

A virtuoso...Godspeed, kind Sir. Dryvinwhileblind Feb 2013 #7

The Texan Who Conquered Russia... DreamGypsy Feb 2013 #8

Notice the young ladies looking so adoringly at him by the lower stage. We thought he was "hawt" monmouth3 Feb 2013 #13

That was 1958. DreamGypsy Feb 2013 #15

It was, I graduated high school in '58. Such innocence back then.. monmouth3 Feb 2013 #16

I remember his debut very well! Anyone who heard his gift asjr Feb 2013 #9

I heard him play live only once - it was unbelieveable. stopbush Feb 2013 #10

One of the greatest Le Taz Hot Feb 2013 #11

Great talent. R.I.P. jsr Feb 2013 #12

Oh, this is sad news. I was one of his biggest fans, back in the day. classof56 Feb 2013 #14

I have been made to understand from my elderly, retired Phila. Orchestra patients PCIntern Feb 2013 #17

RIP! He was a real Virtuoso! burrowowl Feb 2013 #18

I remember seeing him on network TV when I was a kid aint_no_life_nowhere Feb 2013 #19

that remark about tv RILib Feb 2013 #21

Absolutely - I remember those prime time TV shows featuring classical music aint_no_life_nowhere Feb 2013 #24

I remember when he won RILib Feb 2013 #20

Another great Texan Ishoutandscream2 Feb 2013 #22

After listening to recordings my whole life, I heard him perform the T. 1st in 2006... Sancho Feb 2013 #23

I used to do technical theatre in Ft. Worth Lithos Feb 2013 #26

The Cliburn: 50 Years of Gold mahatmakanejeeves Feb 2013 #27

Kick... n/t Tx4obama Feb 2013 #28

He was a great virtuoso. Beacool Feb 2013 #29

Fascninating (and short!)read on Cliburn from NYer archives. "To search and search and never find" zonkers Feb 2013 #30

I remember his ticker-tape parade in NYC tilsammans Feb 2013 #31

RIP and thank you for the beautiful music, Mr. Cliburn BeyondGeography Feb 2013 #32

I heard him play live once magical thyme Feb 2013 #33