Van Cliburn: Russian Piano Concertos (CD)

In 1958, Cold War-era Moscow, the first International Tchaikovsky Competition took place and was won, unanimously and amid unprecedented publicity, by Van Cliburn of Texas. The Russians, who had designed the competition as a showcase for their own imperial talent, were initially disgruntled, but dismay turned to awe and affection as they listened to a virtuoso whose performance was worth its weight in gold. Following a ticker-tape Broadway parade upon his return home, record labels battled for the exclusive rights to Cliburn; RCA ultimately winning the fight. When first released, his recording of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 beat Elvis Presley in the charts and became the best-selling disc in the history of classical music.

Captured here in an expertly remastered disc by Pristine Audio are two subsequent recordings by Van Cliburn: his 1960 recording of Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto and his 1962 recording of Rachmaninov’s Second, both accompanied by the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Walter Hendl conductor
October 1960, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Fritz Reiner conductor
April 1962, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Discs: 1
Record Label: Pristine Audio
Release Year: 2024