Cliburn News - Summer 2018

CLIBURN NEWS WWW.CLIBURN.ORG

SUMMER 2018 I ISSUE NO. 115

JUNIOR COMPETITION JURY

Esteemed international jury for 2019 Junior Competition in Dallas to be chaired by pianist Alessio Bax

IN THIS

ISSUE:

LAURA BUSH: JUNIOR HONORARY CHAIR

2018 GALA: A RUSSIAN ROMANCE

LAUREATE UPDATE: YEOL EUM SON

CLIBURN 180°: SOCIAL AND ARTS-MINDED

FROM THE

PRESIDENT As a part of our Cliburn family, you know that the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is widely considered one of the very best among its peers around the world. We’re proud that, every four years, it brings the eyes of the classical music world to Fort Worth, and Van Cliburn’s vision of excellence to the world.

“

... it is our winners’ careers by which our global leadership and importance is judged.

”

As we work to grow that reputation and stature, our main mandate is to further develop our career management program. We can have the best hall, the finest instruments, and the most impressive jury, but it is our winners’ careers by which our global leadership and importance is judged.

From the First Cliburn Competition in 1962, the organizers focused on the launch of a career, with a U.S. concert tour for its winner—which was of great importance to Van Cliburn.

Our current program takes a comprehensive, personalized, and international approach: hundreds of concert bookings across the United States for the three medalists with international engagements for the gold medalist; publicity packages, including traditional and social media training; professional support from a management agency in London and PR firm in New York; and personalized artistic consultation, logistical tour management, and financial and tax planning. You’ll see the results for this first year with our 2017 winners in the following pages, and I think that they speak for themselves!

We learn and get better at serving our winners each year, with plans to expand further in the coming years to finetune that experience and help them on their way to successful, global careers.

We hope you’ll follow each of our past and current winners on social media as they travel the world and share classical music with thousands of people. We also hope you’ll join us locally for our 2018–2019 Cliburn Concerts, as we welcome many of our laureates back to Fort Worth, as well as other established and emerging artists—some of the best performing today!

Jacques Marquis, President and CEO 2 I CLIBURN NEWS

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

page

4

WINNERS UPDATES

In the one year since their Cliburn wins, our 2017 winners have performed over 100 concerts across North America, Europe, and Asia.

8 10 2017–2018 IMPACT

BY THE NUMBERS

It’s been a big year, with potential media reach in the billions and online on-demand video views in the millions.

14

CLIBURN 180º Our young professionals group had a banner year, topped off by the first-ever Cliburn Cocktail Competition.

CLASSICALLY CLIBURN GALA 2018:

A Russian Romance

18

CLIBURN CALENDAR

19

LAUREATE UPDATE YEOL EUM SON

with Eugene Tzigane and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

Hear the latest news from our 2009 silver medalist in her words.

20 21 This first-time Cliburn sponsor explains why they love the new partnership.

Laura Bush will be honorary chairman, Alessio Bax leads the notable jury, and Ruth Reinhardt conducts the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

CLIBURN LAUREATES + RACHMANINOV

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

AMEGY BANK

11

2019 CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR PIANO COMPETITION AND FESTIVAL

SUBSCRIBER PROFILE:

CONNIE BECK

One dedicated subscriber discusses why “no city compares to Fort Worth in terms of classical music.”

22

FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Jeff King offers a poignant note of love and gratitude to our inspiration and namesake, Van Cliburn.

SUMMER 2018 I 3

WINNERS

YEKWON SUNWOO 2017 GOLD MEDALIST

This spring, Yekwon went on a 3-week, 9-concert U.S. tour with the National Orchestra of Cuba, during which one reviewer raved: “Sunwoo possesses the flawless technique of a first-prize winner of the Van Cliburn (which he won last year), but his sensitive phrasing and shimmering tone reveal a mature artist.” (Palm Beach Daily News) The day after the tour, he flew to Germany to make his debut appearance at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg as part of the Steinway Prizewinner Concert Series. The last few months also took him to performances in Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Spain, Turkey, and his native South Korea.

This summer’s tour includes some major festival appearances, including the Rockport Chamber (with the Brentano String Quartet), Newport, and Brevard Music Festivals, as well as Festival Napa Valley and the International Keyboard Institute & Festival in New York.

Yekwon with the Bennewitz String Quartet in Korea at the Tongyeong International Music Festival in April.

4 I CLIBURN NEWS

Photo: Jeremy Enlow

www.yekwonsunwoo.com

UPDATES 12 24 26 28

El Camino College, Torrance, CA Washington Performing Arts, Washington, D.C. Beaches Fine Arts Series, Jacksonville, FL Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale, AZ

NOVEMBER 14 Casa da Musica Porto, Porto, Portugal 21 Seongnam Arts Center with Valery Gergiev and the Munich

Philharmonic, Seongnam, South Korea 22 Sejong Cultural Center with Valery Gergiev and the Munich

Philharmonic, Seoul, South Korea JANUARY 2019 19 Shiznoa, Japan 20 Aichi, Japan 22 Tokyo, Japan 24 MIE Center for the Arts, Japan 25 Tokyo Yamaha, Japan 27 Sendai, Japan

Yekwon in rehearsal with the Boruson Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra at the Instanbul Music Festival in May.

JULY 6 Brevard Music Festival, Brevard, NC 12 Newport Music Festival, Newport, RI 15 Music Mountain Festival, Falls Village, CT 17 International Keyboard Institute and Festival, New York, NY 24–25 Festival Napa Valley Grand Cru Piano Series, Napa, CA 29 Altmark Festspiele, Leipzig, Germany AUGUST 15 Lotte Concert Hall, Seoul, South Korea 21 Busoni Festival, Bolzano, Italy 29 Schloss Elmau, Elmau, Germany 31 Helsingborg Piano Festival, Dunkers Kulturhus, Helsingborg, Sweden

FEBRUARY 10 Carmel Music Society, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 14 Morningside College, Sioux City, IA 23 Hong Kong Arts Festival MARCH 15 Konzerthaus Berlin, Berlin, Germany APRIL 7–9 Frankfurter Opern 11–13 Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester, NY 23 Gallagher Bluedorn Center for Performing Arts,

University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 25 Society for the Performing Arts, Houston, TX 28 Plano Symphony Orchestra, Plano, TX MAY 3–4

Meany Center for the Performing Arts, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

SEPTEMBER 16 Fredericksburg Music Club, Fredericksburg, TX 21–22 El Paso Symphony Orchestra, El Paso, TX 26 Fundación Sinfonia, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 28 Los Alamos Concert Society, Los Alamos, NM 30 Carmel Music Society, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA OCTOBER 3 East Alabama Arts, Opelika, AL 5 Texas Performing Arts, University of Texas, Austin, TX 7 Philip Lorenz Memorial Keyboard Concerts, California

State University, Fresno, CA

Yekwon rehearsing at the Huntsville Chamber Music Guild in Alabama in April.

SUMMER 2018 I 5

WINNERS UPDATES continued from page 5

KENNY BROBERG 2017 SILVER MEDALIST www.kennybroberg.com In February, Kenny subbed in for André Watts with the renowned Minneapolis Orchestra, and the Star Tribune called his appearance a “highly auspicious debut, marked by poise, technical brilliance.” His tour of Hawaii at the end of March yielded enthusiastic heralds from Big Island Music: “Kenny Broberg is a young musician of extraordinary ability, who left the audience amazed, delighted, proud (in a parental kind of way!), and anxious to follow him on the next stages of his musical journey. He is the future of classical music.” The busy month of April included stops in Colorado, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Washington, as well as with the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra and at the Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival. Highlights of the summer include a residency at the Strings and Sunriver Music Festivals, recitals for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra’s La Virée Classique festival, and his China debut.

July 17 27 31

Minnesota Beethoven Festival, Winona, MN Shanghai, China Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival, Winthrop, WA

August 2, 4 Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival, Winthrop, WA 17 Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs, Sandy Springs, GA 19, 22 Sunriver Music Festival, Sunriver, OR September 1 Virée Classique, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Montréal, Canada 15 East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Tyler, TX 21 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London, United Kingdom 26 Fundación Sinfonia, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic October 14 Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay, Palos Verdes, CA 20 Community Series–Texoma Concerts, Sherman, TX 25–27 Kansas City Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City, MO November 2 University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 4 Salon Piano Series, Madison, WI 8 Cliburn Concerts, Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, TX 10 Temple Symphony Orchestra/Central Texas Orchestral Society, Temple, TX 6 I CLIBURN NEWS

Kenny at Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival in April. Credit: Geno Loro

11 17

Georgetown Symphony Society, Georgetown, TX Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, Kanagawa, Japan

January 2019 19 International Classical Concerts of the Desert, La Quinta, CA 25 ARTS San Antonio, San Antonio, TX February 10 Pepperdine University Wengler Center for the Arts, Malibu, CA 22–23 Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Lubbock, TX March 17 Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA 31 Frederic Chopin Society, Minneapolis, MN April 10 14 27

Lied Center of Kansas, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, Findlay, OH Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Victoria, TX

May 19

Yavapai Symphony Association, Prescott, AZ

DANIEL HSU

2017 BRONZE MEDALIST www.danielhsupiano.com

Portrait Photo: Jeremy Enlow

Daniel enjoyed a residency with the Quad City Symphony this spring, full of concerts and outreach programs. He gave this enlightening interview to the Dispatch-Argus just prior: “For me personally, you never stop learning. Every time I approach a piece, there’s always something there that is different.” In addition to performances in Alabama, Ohio, Texas, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania, he also had the opportunity in March to play for one of his greatest idols, András Schiff. This summer, he has already made his China debut and completed a tour of Japan, and is now looking forward to concerts with the North Carolina Symphony and Chamber Music Northwest.

July 7 25

North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, Raleigh, NC Chamber Music Northwest, Portland, OR

August 17 Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs, Sandy Springs, GA September 15 Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Springfield, MO 22 Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, Abilene, TX 26 Fundación Sinfonia, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 29 Topeka Symphony Orchestra, Topeka, KS 30 Great Spaces, Grace Cathedral, Topeka, KS October 6 Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, Bakersfield, CA 14 Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA 19 Kunming Symphony Orchestra, Kunming, China 23 Ibaraki-shi Shimiin Sogo Center, Osaka, Japan 27 Baro Bunka Hall, Gifu, Japan 28 Saitama Sainokuni Arts Theater, Saitama, Japan November 4 Chamber Music Northwest, Portland, OR 11 Miller Center for the Arts, Reading Area Community College, Reading, PA December 2 Soka Performing Arts Center, Soka University, Aliso Viejo, CA 16 Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, Tucson, AZ

Daniel with Mark Russell Smith and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in April.

January 2019 24 Trust Performing Arts Center, Lancaster, PA February 23 Dixie Celebrity Series, Dixie State University, St. George, UT March 2 9 10 12 14 17 30

Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, Anchorage, AK Kauai Concert Association, Lihue, HI Kahilu Theatre, Kamuela, HI Hawaii Concert Society on the Big Island, Hilo, HI University of Hawaii–Manoa, Honolulu, HI Gilmore Rising Stars, Kalamazoo, MI Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts, Jordan Hall, Boston, MA

April 27

Northeast Kingdom Classical Series, St. Johnsbury, VT

May 2–3 10

University of Wyoming Cultural Programs, Laramie, WY Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Lansing, MI SUMMER 2018 I 7

2017–2018 IMPACT The impact of these last 12 months since the conclusion of the 2017 Competition cannot be measured in numbers alone, but they do help tell the story of the worldwide exposure achieved as we worked to launch the careers of our new winners and further realize the mission of the Cliburn. They also show a persisting global adoration of Van Cliburn, as he was consistently remembered in traditional and social media, and particularly in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of his historic Tchaikovsky win.

Here are some of the insights from JUNE 2017 to JUNE 2018:

SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK Total Reach:

YOUTUBE

3.1 million

does not include 2017 Competition videos, which are housed on cliburn2017.medici.tv

Video impressions:

1.35 million

Total views :

384,000

Top Video:

265,000

Total minutes watched:

1.7 million

impressions

Top video on demand:

TWITTER Total impressions:

664,500 Top tweet:

78,962 impressions (retweet by Apple Music)

INSTAGRAM Total impressions:

300,000 Top Post:

13,000 impressions 2,500 video views 8 I CLIBURN NEWS

2009 Cliburn Nobuyuki Tsujii – Chopin Twelve Etudes, Op. 10 Originally posted May 24, 2009 Views this year: 35,000 Lifetime views: 774,000

CLIBURN2017.MEDICI.TV archive of 2017 Competition videos

4.5 million video views 178 countries 9,051 cities 00:56:14 average viewing time Top 5 countries: United States, Russia,

South Korea, Canada, Japan

Top 5 cities: Seoul, Fort Worth, New York, Dallas, Moscow

BY THE NUMBERS TRADITIONAL MEDIA CLIBURN

a summary of total media mentions (in multiple languages) of the Cliburn, its winners, its past winners, and Van Cliburn

Number of articles:

3,650

Potential reach:

2.26 billion Media value:

$20.9 million

73 countries, with top exposure in: United States, Italy,

United Kingdom, Turkey, Germany, Korea, Canada, China, France, Vietnam, Mexico

HIGHLIGHTS 2017 winner announcement, 2017 winners tours Van Cliburn mentions, including stories on the first Grammy Awards, the 60th Anniversary of the Tchaikovsky victory, and the 5th Anniversary of his passing Past winners’ tours and features

2017 GOLD MEDALIST YEKWON SUNWOO

A summary of total media mentions of Yekwon Sunwoo (including Korean language publications)

Number of articles:

2,450 with over half in Korea Potential reach:

4.3 billion

Media value:

$40.2 million

Press conference in Korea in June 2017 on Yekwon’s first trip back as Cliburn gold medalist.

Traditional media tracking note: articles are pulled through Meltwater media monitoring. The viewership of some publications, particularly international outlets, is unknown and is therefore not reflected in potential reach figures.

SUMMER 2018 I 9

CLIBURN 180°

A SOCIAL GROUP FOR ARTS-MINDED PROFESSIONALS IN THEIR 20s & 30s The Cliburn 180° recently wrapped its 10th season—one of its strongest yet, featuring a launch event with all three 2017 medalists at The Lazy Moose on the Near Southside; a holiday party at the home of Rose Anne Cranz with a special performance from a local choir; and two exclusive Cocktails & Conversations events with superstar Cliburn Concerts artists: violinist Ray Chen and pianist Julio Elizalde at the Kleinheinz’s, and Emanuel Ax at the Miller’s (with special attendee Vadym Kholodenko, pictured below). Credit: Joyce Marshall.

The year ended with the first ever Cliburn Cocktail Competition—a smashing night on Crockett Row organized to benefit the 2021 Competition. The event featured local teams competing to win the coveted gold medal, and the team of Jon Suder and Dee Smith prevailed with their Paper Plane bourbon cocktail. Special thanks to event partners Crockett Row, Fort Worth Weekly, and West Elm, as well as Flor de Cana Rum, Hendrick’s Gin, Hudson Baby Bourbon, Los Vaqueros, Milagro Tequila, Rahr & Sons Brewery, Reyka Vodka, Terra Mediterranean, and Winslow’s Wine Cafe. Credit: Richard Rodriguez.

Our young professionals group continues to grow, in size and in focus, and we’re proud that it’s known as one of the best in town!

If you or someone you know is under 40 and interested in joining for next season, email Sandra Doan at sdoan@cliburn.org.

If you’re interested in hosting an event or supporting the group through donations, partnerships, or another way, please contact Kay Howell at khowell@cliburn.org.

10 I CLIBURN NEWS

2019 CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR PIANO COMPETITION AND FESTIVAL MAY 31–JUNE 8, 2019 I DALLAS, TEXAS I SMU & MEYERSON SYMPHONY CENTER

FORMER FIRST LADY MRS.

LAURA BUSH HONORARY CHAIRMAN The Cliburn is proud to announce that former First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush will serve as honorary chairman of the 2019 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival.

“

Mrs. Laura Bush’s lifetime commitment to education at the highest level continues in this association with the Cliburn Junior Competition, which is designed to encourage the artistic development of the greatest pianistic talent of tomorrow from around the globe.

As the Cliburn hosts a major program in Dallas for the first time ever—the majority of which will be held on the campus of SMU—we are thrilled to have Mrs. Bush, a resident of the city and proud alumna of the University, lend her name. She also held a longtime friendship with our inspiration and namesake, Van Cliburn, making this connection particularly special.

— Jacques Marquis, Cliburn president and CEO

”

SUMMER 2018 I 11

2019 CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR PIANO COMPETITION AND FESTIVAL continued from page 11

RUTH REINHARDT CONDUCTOR

In a stunning conclusion on June 8, the three finalists of the 2019 Cliburn Junior Competition will perform full concertos with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Ruth Reinhardt at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

Ruth Reinhardt is currently assistant conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and a Dudamel Fellow of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the 2017–2018 season. She has recently guest conducted the Cleveland Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Malmö Symphony, and the Orchester Musikkollegium Winterthur in a concert televised throughout Switzerland. Upcoming engagements include the North Carolina Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in the Primrose Viola Competition, and Dallas Symphony, as well as performances with the symphony orchestras of Fort Worth (February 22–24, 2019), Omaha, Orlando, Santa Fe, Sarasota, and Seattle. This summer, she makes her debut with the Stockholm Philharmonic and will serve as assistant conductor of the Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra. In addition, she will work with Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra (NYO-USA), assisting Michael Tilson Thomas. Ms. Reinhardt was recently selected as one of three active participants in the annual master class of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, this year given by Daniele Gatti.

12 I CLIBURN NEWS

2019 CLIBURN JUNIOR COMPETITION JURY Alessio Bax, chairman (Italy) Frist prize winner, Leeds and Hamamatsu International Piano Competitions; has appeared with more than 100 orchestras; recitalist and chamber musician on four continents; Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient; Signum Classics recording artist; SMU Meadows School of the Arts artist-in-residence

Philippe Bianconi (France) 1985 Cliburn silver medalist; former director of the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau; faculty member of École Normale de Musique de Paris; recorded extensively, including the complete solo works of Ravel; deemed “one of the best pianists in France” by Le Figaro

Sa Chen (China) 2005 Cliburn third-prize winner; award-winner at Leeds and Chopin Competitions; recognized by BBC Music, Gramophone, L’Officiel, and others as a leading Chinese artist; invited to perform in support of environmental causes by the World Bank, Norwegian government, and Washington, D.C.’s Global Citizen Earth Day

Angela Cheng (Canada) Gold medalist, Rubinstein and Montreal International Piano Competitions; frequent collaborator with violinist Pinchas Zukerman, performing throughout North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia; professor of piano at Oberlin Conservatory, where she received the Excellence in Teaching Award

Valery Kuleshov (Russia) 1993 Cliburn silver medalist and winner of Best Performance of the Commissioned Work; 1987 second-prize winner, Busoni Competition; awarded “Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation” by Boris Yeltsin; has performed throughout Russia and the United States; wrote out Vladimir Horowitz’s unpublished piano transcriptions

Lowell Liebermann (United States) One of America’s most frequently performed and recorded living composers; 2001 winner, Cliburn American Composers Invitational; music included on over 80 recording projects; made his piano performance debut at Carnegie Hall at age 16; earned awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, ASCAP, and BMI and a Grammy® nomination

Aviram Reichert (Israel) 1997 Cliburn bronze medalist; first-prize winner at several major competitions in Asia, France, and Germany; has toured extensively in Asia, as well as the United States, Europe, South Africa, and Israel; professor of piano at Seoul National University, where more than 20 of his students have won major awards

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2019 CLIBURN JUNIOR COMPETITION ARE OPEN NOW, AND ARE DUE JANUARY 20, 2019.

FULL INFORMATION AT CLIBURN.ORG. SUMMER 2018 I 13

A TRIBUTE TO THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF VAN CLIBURN’S HISTORIC INTERNATIONAL TCHAIKOVSKY COMPETITION VICTORY IN MOSCOW AT THE HEIGHT OF THE COLD WAR Our thanks to all who attended Classically Cliburn Gala 2018: a Russian Romance! What a wonderful evening paying tribute to our inspiration and namesake, Van Cliburn, and honoring Carla Kemp Thompson and her husband Kelly for their years of dedicated service.

Special gratitude goes the gala chairmen, Kaydee & Bill Bailey and Kim & Glenn Darden.

The night began with an elegant reception featuring a caviar and vodka bar, and music from the Dallas String Quartet, followed by a seated dinner of Salade Romanov, Pommes de terre Prokofiev, and Gâteau framboise Fabergé.

After dinner, guests enjoyed dancing with the Chris Norton Band and hand-rolled cigars at the Sigarnyy Klub.

Gala Chairmen Kaydee Bailey (l) and Kim Darden (r) with honoree Carla Kemp Thompson (c)

Gina and Bob Ravnaas, Lindy and Bill Penny, and Annette McColm 14 I CLIBURN NEWS

Anne and Bob Bass at the caviar and vodka bar Photo credit: Joyce Marshall

Tchaikovsky Anne T. & Robert M. Bass Mercedes T. Bass Kim & Glenn Darden Marsha & John Kleinheinz

Rachmaninov Anne Marie & Doug Bratton / Cami & John C. Goff Anne & John Marion

Prokofiev

Kelly & Paul Greenwell / Suzanne & Kevin Levy / Whitney & Doug More The Northern Trust Company Tommy Smith and Mercedes Bass

front: Anne Shannon, Ralph Cox, Anna Jean Walsh, Terry Ryan, Barbara Cox back: Richard Walsh, Kelly Shannon, Kathy Stevens, Richard Stevens, Jude Ryan

Kate Thompson and Zach Crane

Scriabin

Susanne & Kevin Avondet / Sarah & Baker Gentry / Rebecca & Reese Hillard / Julie & Scott Kleberg / Martha & Frost Prioleau BNSF Railway Company Gunhild Corbett Barbara & Ralph Cox – Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Maria & Daniel Fawcett Fort Worth Star-Telegram Dana & Dee Kelly, Jr. – Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP Teresa & Luther King – Luther King Capital Management Pati & Bill Meadows / Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation Leslie & John David Moritz Paula & Scott Orr – Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Thomas L. Smith Carla & Kelly Thompson William E. Scott Foundation

Stravinsky

Tori Adams & James E. DuBose – DuBose Family Foundation Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP Ramona & Lee Bass Black Mountain Oil & Gas LLC Lisa & Bill Burton / Jennifer & Philip C. Williamson Mitzi & Bill Davis Carolyn & Randall Hudson / Dana & David M. Porter JPMorgan Chase & Co. William Jenkins – Jackson Walker LLP Eddie Lesok / Marge & Nate McGrew Vivienne & Bobby Mays Gina & Bob Ravnaas Gail W. Rawl Joan Rentel Jean & John Roach – The Roach Foundation, Inc. Missy & Randy Rodgers Sara & Peter Sterling Becca & Mark Stupfel Texas Christian University

SUMMER 2018 I 15

Shostakovich Kaydee & Bill Bailey Claire Barry Scottie & Harry Bartel Marilyn & Mike Berry Lynsey Blair & Luther Shilling Robert W. Brown MD Brenda & David Brunette Robin & Gantt Bumstead Susan & Stephen Butt Gary Cole, Jr. Rose Anne Cranz Lucy Darden Anne & Richard Davidovich Margaret & Craig Dearden Ralph Duggins Barbara & David Eason Mary Jane & Crawford Edwards Kelly Ann & Chris Ewin Margaret & Porter Farrell Ann & George Ferguson Stephanie & Warner Fox Alyson & Powie French Kara & Fuller French

Marcia Fuller French Missy & Mark Gale Beth & Randy Gideon Tina & Theodore Gorski Shannon & Mark Hart Cynthia & Brad Hickman Ann B. & Mack House Teresa & Jim Hubbard Ann & Edward R. Hudson, Jr. Isabelle & Sam Hulsey Lan Jefferies Olivia & Jeff Kearney Jean & Gordon B. Kelly, Jr. Mary & Allan Kelly Paula & Robert Kelly Gail & Bill Landreth Kathryn & Russell Laughlin Lauri Lawrence Lowery Asset Consulting LLC Gaylord & P. Bradley Lummis Michelle & Scott Marlow Louella & Nicholas Martin Gerry & James Matthews

Annette & Mike McColm Eunice & Kelly McColm Betty Claire McKnight Marsland & Dick Moncrief Lila & Emmett Murphy Elisabeth & Robert J. Myers Kristi & David Newton Alann & Bill Nolan Paige & Graham Pate Kelsey & Gary Patterson Lindy & Bill Penny Mary Perry Anna Melissa & Peter Philpott Michelle & Tom Purvis Shannon & Breck Ray Beth Rivers & Woody Grossman Regina Rogers E.M. Rosenthal Family Fund – Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Paige & Bob Russey Patricia & Win Ryan Patricia Schutts Becky B. Scott

Anne & Robert Self Tracy & John Sellers Elaine & Terry Small – Rupert Investors, LTD B. Blaine Smith & Richard Hubbard Virginia S. Smith Mimi & Chad Stephens Janice & Mark Thomas Shirley & Wes Turner Visit Fort Worth Letty & Michael Waltrip Rinda & Jeff Wentworth Jenny & Stephen Westermann Donna & Bryan Whitworth Megan Ruth Bowdon Wilkinson & Joey Wilkinson John H. Williams Martha & J.R. Williams Suzy Williams Sandi & Greg Wilson Kimbell & Mitch Wynne Linda & George Young, Jr. Susan & Marshall Young

180° Young Professionals Kate & Craig Barbolla Susanna & Harper Bartolomei Emma & Christopher Beavers Monica A. Benson Pascaline & Antoine Berghmans

Sarah Cooper & John Patrick Howell Kristi & Herndon Hasty Isabel Hebert Morgan & Kelly Kostohryz Toni & William Leavitt Chris Leito Brandi & Josh Luig

Haddy & Edward Manuel Danielle & Garrett Martin Reagan & Matt McLain Barbara McNealy & William Lott Alicia & Philip Newburn

Andrea Palmer & Luke McMahan Tony Prenger – Pinnacle Bank Texas Mandy & Baron Purselley Kenneth Rayburn Melissa & Kayvon Shahbaz

Mary Elizabeth Van Meter, Mandy Purselley, Baron Purselley, Josh Van Meter, Garrett Martin, Danielle Martin, Kate Barbolla, Morgan Kostohryz, Kelly Kostohryz 16 I CLIBURN NEWS

Mary Elizabeth & Joshua Van Meter Jane Weir Shelby White & Patrick Sheridan Hannah & Jarrett Watkins Natalie Wilkins

Cami and John Goff; Sasha and Ed Bass

Jacques Marquis and Jeff King toast Carla and Kelly Thompson

Dancing to the Chris Norton Band

Gail Rawl, Gary Cole, Marcia French, Ann Hudson

Caroline Arnette, Chad Arnette, Jimmy Coury, Marianne Auld

Doug and Anne Marie Bratton, Beth Holland, Peter Beck, Patty and James Huffines, Maggie and Robert Murchison SUMMER 2018 I 17

PERFORMANCE HALL DISTINGUISHED CLASSICAL STARS. GLORIOUS PERFORMANCE HALL.

CLIBURN LAUREATES + RACHMANINOV with the

FORT WORTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and

EUGENE TZIGANE CONDUCTOR

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2018 I 7:30 PM

FEI-FEI 2013 CLIBURN FINALIST

VARIATIONS ON A THEME OF PAGANINI

“ In this performance, [Fei-Fei] extracted every last ounce of energy where needed and gentle nuance when required. The audience held its breath in rapt attention to this amazing musical experience.”

— Palm Beach Daily News

YEOL EUM SON 2009 CLIBURN SILVER PIANO CONCERTO NO. 2

“ Yeol Eum Son devotes herself to her dreaming… A musical experience of the deepest mutual understanding is portrayed, a truly magical moment.”

— Der Tagesspiegel

HAOCHEN ZHANG 2009 CLIBURN GOLD

At this one-night-only event, witness a spectacular that is rarely seen on the Bass Hall stage outside of the Cliburn Competition: the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra joins three extraordinary pianists for three iconic concertos—all Rachmaninov—in one night. We proudly welcome back recent laureates for this special occasion.

PIANO CONCERTO NO. 3

“ Such a combination of enchanting, sensitive lyricism and hypnotizing forcefulness is a phenomenon encountered very rarely.”

— The Jerusalem Post

T I C K E T S O N S A L E N O W ! C L I B U R N . O R G /1819 C O N C E R T S O R 8 1 7 . 2 1 2 . 4 2 8 0 18 I CLIBURN NEWS

LAUREATE UPDATE: 2009 SILVER MEDALIST

YEOL EUM SON Yeol Eum Son followed her 2009 Cliburn success with another second prize win at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2011. She’s performed around the world, recently appearing with the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Budapest Festival Orchestra, and NHK Symphony Orchestra; and has six unique recording projects, including a 2018 release with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and Sir Neville Marriner. Having achieved great fame in her native South Korea, she is an honorary ambassador of the Seoul Arts Center and her home city of Wonju. She returns to Cliburn at the Bass on October 2, and we caught up with her about her life post-Cliburn below!

CLIBURN: This isn’t your first time back at Bass Hall and certainly not Fort Worth since your Competition appearance. What does it mean for you to perform back at the scene of your victory?

YEOL EUM: It always feels as if I’m back home!

CLIBURN: You’re still very close to your host mother, Becky Brooks. Tell us a little about that relationship—almost 10 years now!

YEOL EUM: She’s the BEST! She is the most caring, kindest, and strongest person I know. We also had several memorable trips together—to New York, to Santa Fe, etc. But the loveliest memory I have is when she came along with me to Germantown, Tex. It was shortly after the 2009 Competition, maybe a year or so after. In the concert, I dedicated my encore to her, then we drove back to Fort Worth together. Truly a beautiful road trip it was!

CLIBURN: You’ve had a wonderful career since your second-place finishes at both the Cliburn in 2009 and then the Tchaikovsky two years later.

What are some of the highlights from your perspective?

YEOL EUM: I feel like I only entered a real concert field through the Cliburn.

It gave me so many and so diverse types of concert experiences—from an amphitheater for a few thousand people to a classroom of an elementary school. I can say I became the real concert pianist through the Cliburn.

CLIBURN: Onyx recently released your recording of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (ASMF) and Sir Neville Marriner, for whom it was the very last recording.

How did that project come to be, and what was your experience working with Sir Marriner?

YEOL EUM: I met Sir Neville during ASMF’s Asian tour in 2016, where I was their soloist for two concerts under his direction. I played Mozart’s E-flat Major Concerto K. 482. After the second concert, he said backstage quite casually, “You have to start recording the complete Mozart Concertos so that you could finish it by the age of 50.” I said “With you? Are you serious?” And he said “Yes, of course!” It was so simple as this, and thanks to the heroic follow-up of my management team, two months later we recorded the C Major Concerto, K. 467 in London. We were supposed to record another C-major concerto (K. 246) next February, but he passed away in October. So the recording is left containing only one concerto.

He was extremely kind and gentle. But at the same time, totally passionate, professional, and energetic! What a great honour that I could work with this legend in his late years.

CLIBURN: Earlier this year, you were named artistic director for the PyeongChang Music Festival & School, which takes place at the recently built Olympic site. What are you hoping to accomplish in this important role?

YEOL EUM: Well, Korea has relatively a short history of festival-culture.

Classical music is still regarded as highly serious and somewhat...an elite art form. It is partly true—the content is cannot-be-more metaphysical, and it is not too kind as if it could immediately fascinate or provoke everyone.

I still believe though, there are many people who just didn’t have the chance to come across to it yet, but would simply love it when the chance is given.

I want to connect classical music to those people with the fun nature of a festival. On the other hand, it will be great if we can contribute to the nation’s peace. The festival site, Gangwon province (Pyeongchang is within it), is the only province which is divided to South and North Korea. We hope we can be a musical bridge between the two.

CLIBURN: You’ve kept a deep connection to South Korea throughout the years, including writing columns in the Korean press and being named an honorary ambassador of the Seoul Arts Center. What have those roles meant to you?

YEOL EUM: I’m extremely proud of my country that, despite a short history of classical music, has produced numerous talented musicians. We have a traditional saying in Korean that “Two things that we are most naturally talented at are songs and dances.” Who knows about genetic nature, but I think it somehow makes sense—everybody likes it end enjoys it. This fact should mean that the country has also a bright future and a great potential for classical music as well, and I hope I can contribute in any form.

CLIBURN: What’s next? What new projects can we expect from you in the near future?

YEOL EUM: Right now I’m completely focusing on my first edition of the Pyeongchang Music Festival. After that, from September on, back to concert mode. I’m particularly happy with my 2018–2019 calendar as it has lots of debuts (at sites) and precious comebacks, including Bass Hall!

SUMMER 2018 I 19

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:

AMEGY BANK

Amegy Bank joined the Cliburn family this past season as the presenting sponsor of the 2018 Cliburn Festival: the music of Russia, which took place in February at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Below is a Q&A with Brandon Bledsoe (president, Fort Worth region), a Fort Worth native who’s been with Amegy since 2005, and James Day (SVP, commercial banking manager), a TCU grad who joined Amegy in 2006.

When or how did you first hear of the Cliburn, Van, and/or the competition?

James: Van’s influence not only on the local Fort Worth community, but worldwide, is staggering.

Brandon: If you grew up in Fort Worth like I did, you knew about Van Cliburn and how his talent as a pianist was juxtaposed with our western culture.

Tell us about Amegy Bank’s history in Fort Worth. What are the plans for the future?

Though we just established a physical presence in Fort Worth about a year ago, Amegy has been active in the Fort Worth community for years. These efforts have historically been supported through other offices and include about $400 million in real estate and business lending to date.

Some of the more notable projects that Amegy has financed include the Texas & Pacific Lofts renovation, construction of Firestone & Robertson’s Whiskey Ranch at the former Glen Garden Golf Course, and several Class A and affordable housing apartment projects.

There was always a goal to commit more resources to Fort Worth by opening a dedicated office here. This goal came to fruition when a handful of Amegy employees, all with a passion for the Fort Worth market, volunteered to start the office in April 2017. We are currently leasing temporary downtown space for our initial office but are excited to announce the opening of our 18 I CLIBURN NEWS 20

permanent headquarters in The Westbrook in Sundance Square and our first full retail branch off Hulen Street across from Trader Joe’s. Both offices will open in the second half of 2018. Opening our Fort Worth office has felt like a homecoming, and we are excited to welcome both old friends and new to our permanent home.

What is Amegy Bank’s sponsorship philosophy, and how has the Cliburn fit in to that philosophy?

Each year, Amegy donates more than $1 million as part of its mission to support the communities in which we do business.

These contributions benefit a wide variety of organizations in the areas of education, community development, arts, diversity, health and human services, affordable housing, and economic development. We make a commitment to the people of Texas to be the leader in Texas banking, and we believe this also means committing to be a leading corporate citizen.

Upon entering the Fort Worth market, we set out to partner with organizations that are important to the community here, and in alignment with Amegy’s values. The Cliburn was a perfect match because we believe it is important to support artsrelated organizations to ensure that the creative fabric of our communities endures.

Further, the Cliburn is a true gem of Fort Worth that resonates in the arts community worldwide—we felt it was a great opportunity to partner with such a unique

organization. Amegy proudly supports the Cliburn’s work in education and the arts, as part of the bank’s commitment to our youth and our neighbors.

Do you feel the Cliburn has had an impact on the national/international perception of Fort Worth?

Definitely. We’re guilty of not always appreciating the brand awareness that both Van and the Cliburn enjoy outside of the Fort Worth community. This perception has been facilitated by the efforts of the Cliburn team, which seems to always have a knack for reaching new audiences.

One example was the Cliburn team marketing the Russian-themed Cliburn Festival in local Russian publications that circulate in the DFW area. We thought that was really cool.

How do you see the relationship between the Cliburn and Amegy Bank in the last year? Has it been beneficial to the Amegy Bank brand?

We feel very fortunate to have partnered with the Cliburn for the Festival and value the relationships we built with Jacques, Kim, Daniel, and the rest of the Cliburn team. We look forward to continuing our partnership and finding other ways to be involved, including James joining Cliburn 180°. Though increasing brand awareness wasn’t our primary goal when getting involved with the Cliburn, it is certainly a positive byproduct.

SUBSCRIBER PROFILE:

CONNIE BECK Welcome to the first in a series of articles and interviews highlighting Cliburn subscribers and supporters. This space is here to feature you, our dedicated patrons, and to let you share your stories with Cliburn family members around the world.

Our inaugural interview is with long-time subscriber and retired banking-industry veteran Connie Beck.

What is your connection to classical music?

All of my life I have simply loved listening to classical music. I have many favorite composers: Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Tchaikovsky, and more.

When I’m working at my desk I almost always have classical music playing.

What is it you enjoy most about the Cliburn Concerts series?

Cliburn Concerts brings some of the best performers in the world to Fort Worth, and I am learning about musicians who are at different stages of their careers. This last spring, Cliburn Concerts introduced us to a wonderful violinist named Ray Chen, who played a fabulous recital with pianist Julio Elizalde.

And you’ve had some great memories from the Cliburn Competition as well?

The 2013 Cliburn Competition was my first to attend and it was a wonderful experience, from the Draw Party to the Finals.

I had just moved from Dallas to Fort Worth, and I invited several Dallas friends to attend with me—they were blown away, as well they should be.

The 2017 Cliburn Competition has been the most wonderful musical experience of my life. One of the reasons I have such great memories is that Frank (my husband) and I went to Moscow with a small group in January 2017 to attend the screening auditions being held there. We had dinner one night with the jury, and it was so interesting to talk to them about their hard work in selecting the best pianists to come to Fort Worth.

We were in Moscow for several days and stayed at the National Hotel next to the Kremlin, which is where Van Cliburn would always stay. One morning the hotel staff gave us a tour of his suite, and his piano is still there!

Any parting thoughts?

I have lived in Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Detroit, and I enjoyed classical music programs in each of them. But because of the fabulous musicians presented by the Cliburn Concerts series, no city compares to Fort Worth in terms of classical music.

HAVE A STORY TO TELL ABOUT YOUR CONNECTION WITH CLASSICAL MUSIC AND THE CLIBURN? EMAIL DSTONE@CLIBURN.ORG. SUMMER 2018 I 21

FROM THE

CHAIRMAN A NOTE OF LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO OUR INSPIRATION AND NAMESAKE Dearest Van, Happy birthday! As this newsletter is being published, we celebrate the 84th anniversary of your birth in Shreveport on July 12, 1934.

At the same time, we have difficulty believing that it has already been five years since your passing.

Van, you were not only a witness to world-changing events during your lifetime, you were also a leader, a catalyst for peace and international understanding during one of the most challenging periods in our nation’s history. Although you never meant to become an iconic figure when you first fell in love with the piano, you emerged as one of our greatest hopes for unity during the Cold War period.

For that alone we stand in awe, and we give thanks for your life and for your life’s work. And how we need you today!

But over time you did come to dream of making the world a better place through the power and the beauty of classical music, and you often spoke of that dream. Your victory at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958 inspired your earliest fans to dream as well, and they created one of the most renowned cultural institutions on the planet in Fort Worth.

The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition was established by those early visionaries in order to encourage other young pianists to realize their potential—not only as professional musicians like you, but as global ambassadors for classical music. As its famous namesake, you provided the motivation for those who funded and developed the competition. Later, we enjoyed stories of you sneaking into Ed Landreth Auditorium at TCU to sit on the back row and watch, out of sight. By the way, we knew you were there, Van…there was simply no way to miss you.

Last summer, people in 8,858 cities in 169 countries tuned in 4.8 million times to watch live as the Fifteenth Cliburn Competition was broadcast. There were more than 1,200 articles and news reports written at the time, across six continents, potentially reaching almost a billion readers. All that said, I believe you would have been most pleased that over 40,000 people attended Bass Hall in person, and more than 4,500 watched the Final Round simulcast in Sundance Plaza…how cool is that?

Now, we plan for the Second Cliburn International Junior Competition next summer in Dallas. In partnership with SMU, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Meyerson, and volunteers from across the region, we will bring together musicians aged 13–17 once again to learn, share, and perform in front of a worldwide audience and a world-renowned jury. And your friend Laura Bush is honorary chairman! You would be so proud, and I smile as I imagine you attempting to sneak into the back of one of those early rounds at the Meadows School like you did at Ed Landreth.

In closing, Van, you would appreciate that we honor Susan Robertson, who served so many years as the Cliburn’s Director of Education and who has taken a break from that labor of love in order to focus on other projects. Over 50,000 public elementary school students across north Texas are introduced to classical music through that program every year. I remember when my daughter, Julia, came home from third grade with a sheet of paper on which your huge hand was drawn to scale around her tiny one.

Thank you for this indulgence, Van. This letter allows us to imagine how it might actually feel to communicate with you again, and it feels good. We love you, and we miss you terribly, but we are comforted to know that you rest in peace.

Forever in music, Your Cliburn Family Jeff King Chairman of the Board 22 I CLIBURN NEWS

CLIBURN CALENDAR 2018 – 2019

SEPTEMBER 20 & 21

DECEMBER 6–11

MARCH 7

CLIBURN AT THE KIMBELL: MASTERS

CLIBURN IN THE COMMUNITY

CLIBURN AT THE KIMBELL: VIRTUOSOS

Rachel Cheung,

duo piano

Lawrence Brownlee, tenor + Eric Owens, baritone

Christina + Michelle Naughton,

piano

JANUARY 24

CLIBURN SESSIONS AT SCAT JAZZ LOUNGE A Night of Cabaret with

Ava Pine + Jonathan Beyer

OCTOBER 2 CLIBURN AT THE BASS

MARCH 23

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and Eugene Tzigane, conductor

CLIBURN AT THE MODERN

featuring

“My Favorite Things” a tribute to Broadway

JANUARY 31 & FEBRUARY 1 Fei-Fei

Yeol Eum Son

Haochen Zhang

CLIBURN AT THE KIMBELL: MASTERS

Leonidas Kavakos, violin + Enrico Pace, piano

APRIL 4 & 5

OCTOBER 18

CLIBURN AT THE KIMBELL: MASTERS

CLIBURN AT THE KIMBELL: VIRTUOSOS

Alexandre Tharaud, piano

Adam Golka, piano

OCTOBER 25 CLIBURN SESSIONS AT SCAT JAZZ LOUNGE

Aaron Diehl Trio

FEBRUARY 14 –17

CLIBURN FESTIVAL AT THE MODERN

Iconic Paris

APRIL 18 CLIBURN SESSIONS AT SCAT JAZZ LOUNGE

featuring

Joshua Roman,

cello

APRIL 29–MAY 3

NOVEMBER 3

CLIBURN IN THE COMMUNITY

CLIBURN AT THE MODERN

Leonardo Pierdomenico,

Gabriel Kahane,

composer

piano Rolston String Quartet

NOVEMBER 8

MAY 31–JUNE 8

CLIBURN AT THE KIMBELL: VIRTUOSOS

Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition

Kenny Broberg, piano

Dasol Kim

Louis Schwizgebel

Joyce Yang

T I C K E T S O N S A L E N O W ! C L I B U R N . O R G /1819 C O N C E R T S O R 8 1 7 . 2 1 2 . 4 2 8 0 SUMMER 2018 I 23

Non-Profit Organization US Postage

PAID

Permit No.13 Fort Worth, Texas

201 MAIN ST., STE. 100 FORT WORTH, TX 76102

NORTH TEXAS • HOUSTON

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

This season, we offer a profusion of experiences designed to showcase classical music’s multifaceted character. From traditional recitals by some of today’s brightest stars to club shows where casual meets classical, in the hands of exceptional musicians, good music is good music.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Cliburn.org/1819Concerts OR 817.212.4280