Following up...

Yesterday I told you a little about Van Cliburn, the legendary Texan pianist who won over the Russians at the very first Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in 1958.

I knew about Van Cliburn all my life, but I really “discovered” him not too long ago.

There is something extraordinary about his musicianship. His timing, his phrasing, his attention to every detail and nuance, but also his spontaneity, make it feel as if the music he plays is being created in the spot.

It´s alive.

It´s that extra thing that is lacking from most performers, that eloquence, that joie de vivre.

Music is art. Life is art.

A true musician must be an artist not only in his/her music, but also in life.

Because art is just an expression of our true selves.

If we´re not artists on the inside, no matter how hard we pretend, we´ll never be artists on the outside.

Van Cliburn was a true artist.

I´ve included two short performances of his on my piano playlist today, you can listen to them here.

Enjoy, and have a great day.

Claudio.