Cliburn News Winter 2020/2021

CLIBURN NEWS WWW.CLIBURN.ORG

NOVEMBER 2020 I ISSUE NO. 119

MEETING THE MOMENT

From making postponement calls to innovative new programming, catch up on the Cliburn’s response to the global pandemic.

SUBSCRIBE TO CLIBURN ESSENTIALS TODAY FOR YOUR ALL-ACCESS PASS TO ALL THINGS CLIBURN

IN THIS

ISSUE:

CLIBURN COMPETITION POSTPONEMENT TO 2022

CLIBURN ESSENTIALS HYBRID PACKAGE

CLIBURN KIDS MUSIC EDUCATION

CLIBURN MASTERPIECE SERIES

FROM THE

PRESIDENT Dear all, As an arts organization that prides itself on flexibility and innovation, the Cliburn has worked hard to find inspiration and opportunity within the uncertainty of the past eight months. There have been challenges, but our team loves a challenge! We also know that classical music can provide comfort and joy, even in the darkest of times. We take our responsibility of sharing this art with as many people as possible—and our commitment to supporting artists—very seriously.

With our flagship Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, it was important to make a postponement decision as early as possible this fall. Young pianists around the world were practicing and preparing their applications for an event that is potentially life changing for them. We needed to give them a precise objective prior to the application deadline of October 15. Understanding that important timeline, we took many factors into consideration, and the path became clear. First: over the years, the special relationship between the Cliburn pianists and the Fort Worth audience has been amazing. These young artists remember the warmth and support of our community for the rest of their lives—that feeling helps them perform their best in the competition, and for years to come. We did not want to have a competition without this secret sauce; it would not be fair to the competitors or to the thousands of fans who look forward to this communal experience every four years.

Also importantly, the Cliburn represents one of the best opportunities for a young pianist to build a professional career. The pandemic has obviously taken a great toll on the performing arts and artists, and launching a touring career is just not feasible right now. But: in 2022, our prize money, the concert engagements, and, most importantly, our career development program can make an even bigger difference in the lives and futures of emerging artists.

Looking at the spread of the virus here and abroad as of right now, I foresee the Cliburn Competition will be one of the first major competitions “out of the gate” in 2022. This is good news.

We look forward to the Competition as a global celebration after one of the hardest times in modern history. What better way to come together again than with young artists from around the world performing time’s most powerful music?

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For now, we are planning the 2022 Competition carefully and making sure that all bases will be covered. In one 13-month period, we will now present all three competitions, including the Amateur Competition in the fall 2022 and the Junior Competition in the spring 2023. It will certainly be all hands on deck, but—like I said—we do love a challenge.

As you’ll see in this newsletter, we’ve had many new initiatives this year that have reached thousands around the globe and provided support to some of our artists. There are two series, in particular, that we have been talking about doing for quite a while, and that—now that we’ve begun—we plan to continue after the pandemic!

Cliburn Kids episodes teach various music concepts to 2nd to 5th graders, and each has lesson plans that also incorporate mathematics, social studies, science, and language. Our website organizes material to easily search for musical concepts and other academic subjects. Each program is hosted by the talented Buddy Bray; many also feature our Cliburn in the Classroom artists. These programs are already being used by a number of ISDs, as well as kids studying at home!

Cliburn Masterpiece is a series in which we delve into some of the greatest masterworks ever written for solo piano, and we get the insights of some of our Cliburn laureates. We also invite other musicians, conductors, and composers—and some experts outside of music—to give us their perspectives. We see this as the creation of a precious library that can be used in competitions and other occasions to come!

We have also started producing some concerts in a safe and alternative environment. Subscribe to Cliburn Essentials or follow us on social media so that you can be sure to join us soon for great music,and maybe a glass of wine.

Your support, your time, and your engagement during these times is greatly appreciated. It is during this unprecedented period that we can, all together, make a difference for our artists and for our art.

Thank you!

Jacques Marquis President and CEO

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

4 page

2022–2023 COMPETITION SCHEDULE

6 8

With the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition postponed to June 2022, here’s a glimpse of what to expect for the new cycle schedule.

CLIBURN ESSENTIALS: A HYBRID SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE

Enjoy this new quarterly box subscription, delivering distinctive in-person and at-home Cliburn experiences designed for a singular year.

CLIBURN AT HOME New digital programs are providing connection, education, and joy to people around the world.

10 11

DONOR SPOTLIGHT: GAIL WILLIAMSON RAWL Since serving as the Junior League representative prior to the Second Cliburn Competition in 1966, Gail Williamson Rawl has lent her time, spirit, and resources to just about every part of the organization.

A MESSAGE FROM

THE CHAIRMAN The Cliburn and the Mosquito NOVEMBER 2020 I 3

2022–2023 COMPETITION SCHEDULE In September, the Cliburn announced that the sixteenth edition of its flagship Van Cliburn International Piano Competition was officially moving from 2021 to 2022.

2022 APR

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

VAN CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

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OCT

NOV

DEC

CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR PIANO COMPETITION

“

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

The Cliburn Competition is a once-every-four-years opportunity for us to showcase exceptional artists to the world, to bring the international classical music community together in Fort Worth, to create a singular event for our hometown, and, in the end, to launch careers. It’s become clear in recent months that the continuing effects of the pandemic will prevent us from producing an event at the level and with the impact that our patrons, our supporters, and—most importantly—our competitors deserve. Now, with a clear path forward, we can plan a Competition that will achieve new heights and be a fitting celebration of international strength and unity after such challenging times.

2020–2021 No Competition

2021–2022 March 6–12, 2022: Screening Auditions in Fort Worth April 8, 2022: Classically Cliburn Gala June 2–18, 2022: Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

2022–2023 Fall 2022: Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition June 2023: Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition & Festival

– Jacques Marquis,

2023 JAN

FEB

MARCH

2023 CLASSICALLY CLIBURN GALA

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

Cliburn President and CEO

”

CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR PIANO COMPETITION & FESTIVAL

NOVEMBER 2020 I 5

A HYBRID SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE

Introduced in October 2020, Cliburn Essentials is a new subscription package of distinctive Cliburn experiences, designed for a singular year. For each of three quarters (fall, winter, and spring), subscribers receive a special Cliburn box, with a surprise gift and a menu of in-person and digital experiences specially curated for that three-month period.

In the fall season, subscribers are enjoying two pop-up concerts, virtual drinks with Cliburn President and CEO (and surprise guests!), exclusive videos (including an Evening with Kenny Broberg and his host family), an in-person, behind-the-scenes view of the filming of Cliburn Kids, and loads of Cliburn Shop perks.

CHECK OUT THE SCENE OF OUR FIRST IN-PERSON CONCERT IN SEVEN MONTHS. STUNNING PIANIST NATASHA PAREMSKI PERFORMED FOR TWO SOCIALLY DISTANCED AUDIENCES IN THE COURTYARD OF THE POST AT RIVER EAST.

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Photo Credit: Ralph Lauer

HAVEN’T SUBSCRIBED YET? YOU STILL CAN!

JOIN CLIBURN ESSENTIALS TODAY. Get your all-access pass to all things Cliburn by purchasing a two-box subscription now! You’ll receive special Cliburn boxes in December and in February that will be your ticket to joining the fun online and in person. It also makes a great gift! $150 per Winter - Spring subscription

CLIBURN.ORG/ESSENTIALS for details on what to expect and to purchase today!

Shop the Cliburn for the holidays!

From hoodies and scarves to tumblers and stocking stuffers, we’ve got you covered for all of the hard-to-buy-for music lovers in your life. Here’s what’s new!

CLIBURN ORNAMENT $15

SILVER PASHMINA $25

PIANO HAMMER KEYCHAIN $15

SHOP.CLIBURN.ORG NOVEMBER 2020 I 7

On March 29, the Cliburn launched its new Cliburn at Home digital initiative, to connect with and bring music to a broad international audience—creating a safe and joyful space for all, no matter age, culture, or physical location.

In the seven months since, Cliburn videos have been viewed online more than 700,000 times, for a current total of 3.2 million minutes watched. Posts across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube have been seen almost 7 million times by people in more than 100 countries.

And there’s more to come! Read about our series and set your reminders now to watch with us.

CLIBURN.ORG/CLIBURN-AT-HOME

ALL CLIBURN AT HOME VIDEOS PREMIERE ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, AS WELL AS AT CLIBURN.ORG, WHERE THEY CAN BE WATCHED IN PERPETUITY. CLIBURN MASTERPIECE

Our newest series was recently included in The New York Times’ “10 Classical Concerts to Stream in November!” Cliburn Masterpiece is a new series that examines the who, what, when, where, and how of the greatest piano works. Cliburn laureates and other esteemed specialists, in and outside the field of music, join host Buddy Bray to lead us through the story of each piece— the composer, the background, the narrative, the characters, the technical difficulties, and more. Each episode ends with a standout, full performance of the piece from a past Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

NEXT EPISODES (biweekly; Sundays at 2:00 p.m. CDT) Nov 29 BACH Toccata in C Minor, BWV 911 featuring Kenny Broberg, 2017 Cliburn silver Dec 13 MUSSORGSKY Pictures at an Exhibition featuring Daniel Hsu, 2017 Cliburn bronze

+ conductor Andrew Litton

WATCH THREE PAST EPISODES NOW AT

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CLIBURN.ORG/ MASTERPIECE

CLIBURN WATCH PARTY

Join us as we relive some of the best moments of the Cliburn Competition in a global watch party. Videos start with a special message from the featured artist, who also joins us in the Facebook chat to talk with viewers!

NEXT EPISODE Dec 5 (7:00 p.m.) Yekwon Sunwoo, 2017 Cliburn gold

Preliminary Round Recital, originally broadcast

Sunday, May 28, 2017

HAYDN Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:48

HAMELIN Toccata on “L’homme arme”

SCHUBERT-LISZT Litanei auf das Fest Aller Seelen

RACHMANINOV Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, op. 36 (1931)

WATCH 26 PAST EPISODES NOW AT CLIBURN.ORG/ WATCHPARTY

CLIBURN KIDS

For our youngest Cliburn friends! Cliburn Kids is a (growing!) collection of wonderfully entertaining 7- to 10-minute videos designed to introduce children to the fun of classical music. How does music paint pictures, tell stories, express feelings? Host Buddy Bray and guest artists use individual pieces to explore topics that delve into the way music is organized and structured, counting and rhythm, expressive elements, and sometimes just lighthearted enjoyment!

Programs are geared towards elementary-aged children, and activities are provided for each episode that are perfect for inclassroom or at-home studies. Cliburn Kids programs are based on Cliburn in the Classroom curriculum, written by Dr. John Feierabend and Buddy Bray.

NEXT EPISODE (Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. CDT) Dec 1 Sleigh Ride

feat. TCHAIKOVSKY “Troika” from The Seasons, op. 37b

and ANDERSON Sleigh Ride

37 EPISODES WITH LESSON PLANS AVAILABLE NOW AT CLIBURN.ORG/KIDS

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: CAPITAL ONE At the beginning of the pandemic, the Cliburn quickly launched Cliburn Kids, to provide music education and fun to a world of children suddenly confined to their homes. Now reworked to provide systematic instruction that can also be effectively used in the classroom, the series has become a major initiative that is intended to be long-lasting and growing.

Capital One, a now-3-year education sponsor for the Cliburn, was one of the effort’s early supporters. The below is from Kurt Schaal, Fort Worth Market President: “At Capital One we believe it’s our responsibility to leverage our scale and resources, and the ingenuity and empathy of our associates, to help foster a world where everyone has an equal opportunity to prosper.

In support of our mission to change banking for good, we launched the Capital One Impact Initiative to advance socioeconomic mobility by advocating for an inclusive society, building thriving communities and creating financial tools that enrich lives.

Socioeconomic mobility is one of the most pervasive and longstanding issues in our society. We believe disparities in housing, education, and employment, among other key factors, create inequities in a person’s financial health and overall well-being.

In DFW, Capital One is proud to partner with organizations like the Cliburn so that together, we can continue to build a vibrant future for North Texas, catalyzing economic growth in low and moderate-income communities and closing gaps in equity and opportunity.

To address the rapidly changing needs of our communities impacted

by COVID-19, the Cliburn has provided innovative STEAM education, adapting its Cliburn in the Classroom program to an online video series so that students across DFW could continue to receive enriching lessons. In a time of increased social distancing and a growing dependence on digital access, the Cliburn has remained a steadfast and trusted partner for the community.”

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DONOR SPOTLIGHT:

GAIL WILLIAMSON RAWL

Gail Rawl was asked to be The Junior League of Fort Worth representative on the Cliburn’s Board of Directors in the years leading up to the Second Van Cliburn International Piano Competition held in 1966. She has been involved with the Cliburn ever since in every way possible as board member, donor, host family, subscriber, and volunteer. Over the past 55 years, she has included her children Kim Darden, Annette McColm, and Philip Williamson in her Cliburn work; in fact, Kim is currently the chairman of the Van Cliburn Advisory Council, and Philip and his wife Jennifer are the chairs of the 2022 Classically Cliburn Gala, of which Gail is the honorary chairman. Here’s a little about why Gail loves the Cliburn in her own words:

CLIBURN: When did you first get involved with the Cliburn and why?

GAIL: In 1966, Corky Friedman, a friend and President of the Junior League, asked me to be their Board Representative to the Van Cliburn Executive Committee before the Second Competition. As I am not musically gifted, nor had I attended the first competition, I hesitated. She laughingly said I would not be asked to play the piano, but simply report back to the Junior League, one of the early sponsors of the Cliburn. This led to a weekly volunteer job in the Cliburn office before and during the Competition. Lola Bahan, Mildred Fender, Ann Hudson, Joan Ryan, and I each took one day every week to help the staff which consisted of Grace Ward Langford, cofounder, executive director and “Head of Everything” and her daughter, Catherine Russell, “Head of Everything Else.” Board Chairman, Sam Cantey, supported “everything!” It was the responsibility of the Junior League to organize and recruit ushers for the entire Competition. Without today’s technology it was challenging and intense, but FUN! CLIBURN: You’ve seen many changes in society and the Cliburn since 1962. Why do you think the Cliburn has maintained the local, national, and international recognition and status that it holds?

GAIL: The pursuit of beautiful music seems to transcend a lot of things such as politics and new technology that bring societal changes. Through the remarkable vision and dedication of both the professional and volunteer leadership, the Cliburn has remained relevant for almost 60 years!

CLIBURN: When you first started volunteering, did you ever think the Cliburn would grow into what it is today? What surprised you or what evolved as you thought it would?

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GAIL: Initially, it was a financial necessity that so much was accomplished by volunteers and through the generosity of local businesses. I remember Grace Ward Langford picking up the office phone, asking the local taxi company to furnish all of the juror’s transportation—and they did it, free of charge! It was a much simpler time. It was thrilling to work together and have the pieces fit in place—sometimes a minor miracle, you might say. With the passing of time, wise leadership and strong, involved local support have kept the Cliburn current but true to its original concept. Its fame and reputation for excellence have far exceeded anything I could have imagined.

CLIBURN: You set the legacy for your family’s participation with the Cliburn. What do you think has inspired them to carry on this legacy?

GAIL: Perhaps their father’s (Dick Williamson) and my involvement exposed our children to the Cliburn, especially when a competitor, Miryo Park, stayed with us in 1981.

However, I think any association they have today stems from a fascination for the Cliburn itself and its unique place in our city.

Fort Worth is so fortunate to be the home of this stellar event!

Pictured above: Gail with her husband, Dick Williamson, and their competitor, Miryo Park.

FROM THE

CHAIRMAN THE CLIBURN & THE MOSQUITO WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MOSQUITO AT THE END? That fateful question is posed a little over eight minutes into a recent program of Cliburn Kids, as the (brilliant) Buddy Bray introduces The Mosquito, by Alexander Scriabin and played by Evan Mitchell. This fun, 10-minute segment, part of a series called “The Piano Takes Flight,” features the piano mimicking the sound of that pesky, buzzing little critter. Throughout this season, Cliburn Kids has explored not only the sounds insects make, but also those of birds and butterflies, night sounds, and even footsteps in the snow. This incredibly powerful and imaginative show welcomes a host of guests and performers as it delves into all manner of subjects, like rhythm, speed, harmonies, math, and history to name a few. I particularly enjoyed the variations (another subject introduced by Buddy and his friends) on “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” or “God Save the Queen,” depending on which side of the ocean you’re on.

Cliburn Kids, Cliburn Masterpiece, and really cool, small pop-up concerts are all part of the Cliburn response to our pandemic-driven new reality, its social-distancing requirements, and the shuttering of our most important music venues here and around the world. If there remained any doubt about the depth of imagination, expertise, collaboration, and leadership among the Cliburn team, this period of history has erased it. Postponing the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition to 2022 was a serious, painful decision made in the most deliberate, thoughtful manner, but it was dealt with head-on and early, respecting the time and investment to be made by the competitors, volunteers, benefactors, and audience. Likewise with the other postponements, decisions have also centered around many more less public but significant personnel, financial, and artistic considerations.

The Cliburn is world-renowned for its piano competitions; they are the cornerstone of the entire organization. But when those most fundamental programs are rendered impossible to produce, there are basically two choices to make: settling for something less, yet easily understandable and defensible, or swinging for the fence. I think you’ll agree which direction has been taken here, and the courage and innovation we’ve seen from our Cliburn team should inspire all of us.

If you are reading this, you share our love of classical music and Van’s vision of spreading that love around the world. You may have already made financial decisions benefitting the Cliburn that are even more difficult than normal these days, and if that is the case we thank you. If you have not done so, please tune in to Cliburn Kids and Cliburn Masterpiece online, or join us for an upcoming pop-up concert at The Post at River East on Race Street (masked and socially-distanced of course), subscribe to Cliburn Essentials that you will find on our website, and then consider how you might enhance your partnership with the Cliburn.

So what did happen to the mosquito at the end of Scriabin’s etude? According to Buddy, we’ll never know as the dramatic final notes could portend either a successful swat or even a miss. And while I am usually no fan of mosquitos, today I’m feeling like there has been way too much swatting in our world, and I pray for her escape back to the loving wings of her friends and family. On behalf of the Cliburn, I wish you peace and love and harmony during this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

“

...there are basically two choices to make: settling for something less... or swinging for the fence. I think you’ll agree which direction has been taken here.

”

Blessings,

Jeff King Chairman of the Board

NOVEMBER MARCH2020 2019 I 11 23

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