Harvey Lavan Cliburn Jr., an American pianist of extraordinary gifts who set off seismic waves in the political landscape by winning the 1958 Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow at the height of the Cold War, has passed away at the age of 78. The cause was bone cancer. Cliburn, known among friends and admirers as "Van," died in his home in Fort Worth, Texas, where an international piano competition in his name celebrated its 50th anniversary last fall.

Van Cliburn: A Russian Was Supposed to Win - WSJ.com