Eugene Ormandy A Centennial Celebration Curated by Marjorie Hassen Otto E. Albrecht Music Library University of Pennsylvania

Collaborating with Van Cliburn

Audio excerpt of Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra with Cliburn at the piano in a performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concert no. 2, recorded 3 August 1967 at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia

Van Cliburn and Eugene Ormandy
ca. 1968
Photographer: Franklin Wing

Van Cliburn
Letter to Eugene Ormandy
13 February 1964

Van Cliburn first performed with Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra in June 1958, only two months following the young pianist's triumph at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. The close relationship Cliburn and Ormandy developed in the ensuing years, and the mentoring role the elder conductor played is evident in this letter, where Cliburn thanks Ormandy for his kindness, patience, and time.