Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Archive

By an agreement concluded in 1991, the Van Cliburn Foundation transferred to Texas Christian University materials relating to the activities of the Foundation, together with the archives of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The professional Competition, first held in 1962, was created to commemorate Van Cliburn's sensational 1958 victory at the first Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Held at four-year intervals, the Competition offers a means by which the finest young concert pianists can perform before a global audience. The International Competition for Outstanding Amateurs now offers other accomplished pianists a worldwide stage.

José Feghali receives the top award from Van Cliburn in 1985, flanked by Philippe Bianconi, Barry Douglas, and Emma Takhmizian.

Feghali is Artist-in-Residence, Professor of Piano, and Coordinator of Internet Technologies for the TCU School of Music.

Photo: Fort Worth Star-Telegram / Ron Jenkins. Click on the image for a larger version.

Guide to the Van Cliburn competitions.

Access

Those outside TCU and the Cliburn Foundation should apply for access to the Cliburn Archivist in the Music/Media Library at l.ruede@tcu.edu, and must subsequently be approved by Cliburn Foundation personnel.

The Archive is open weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday when the TCU Library is open.

Content

The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Archive consists of audio, video and print materials from about 1960 onward, comprising several sub-collections.

Original Materials

• original magnetic audiovisual recordings documenting the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and other Fort Worth cultural events
• textual materials: press materials, organizational files, flyers, posters and programs
• musical scores comprising the jury library of the Competition
• film reels and soundtracks of various types

Reference Collection

Contains duplicate audiovisual recordings, publications and memorabilia, for use by staff and patrons.

Support Collection

Contains published sound and video recordings, books, and other items, by and concerning Competition participants and jurors.

Importance

The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is widely considered to be the world's foremost piano competition. It is also a reflection of the surprisingly abundant growth of the arts in Fort Worth, by tradition a "western" town. The presence of the Archive evidences a long-standing connection between TCU and the Van Cliburn Foundation.

Purpose

The Archive functions as a permanent reminder of Competitions past, and of the remarkable organization backing them; it documents, in part, the cultural evolution of Fort Worth, and assists the Cliburn Foundation, serving its information needs and enhancing its image within the community.

Relevance

The global appeal of the Cliburn Competition is undeniable, fuelled by extraordinary talent, dynamic personalities, and the excitement of artistic achievement.

Utility

The Archive accommodates an array of different interests, including the competitive process in music; the development of individual performers; performance practice and the piano literature; the cultural life of Fort Worth and of course, the history of the Cliburn Competition itself.

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