It's amust have - but the audio seems a bit harsh.. especially the orchestra. The mellow sound is not there. Exellent interpretation. On todays recoding would a have been - unsurpassed.

My mom died in 1961, I was 8 years old. Shorty after my Dad a classical music lover took me to Interlochen Arts Camp to hear Van Cliburn with the International Youth Orchestra. The moon light over the water in the back ground was magical. That moment carried me through many a dark times. I became a life long fan. My daughter played oboe with the Concert orchestra when she was 14, long ago now but what wonderful memories remain of a once in a century talent. R.I.P. V.C.

Sometimes the Universe needs to sing!

There is such a presence felt when I listen to him. He was such a soulful artist whose essence makes each piece feel personal. I love this album.

Such a Beautiful piece of music done by an American Master!!

My mother had this wonderful recording on vinyl when I was a little girl. I played it to death and, when I wasn't listening to the record, begged for piano lessons. Eventually, she and my dad bought a piano, and I studied for eight years. Thank you, Mr. Cliburn - and rest in peace. BTW, this was the first classical album ever to sell a million copies. One listen and you'll know why.

The phrasing is implacable! You gotta listen to the high resolution format (CD) via a good system to fully realize the glory of this recording! ACC or MP3 format would not work ;(

Timeless and absolutely genius recording of the historic performance that got Van Clibern a first prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow (1958). During the full bloom of the Cold War. He proved that Cold War does not exist between artists, or in music. It is only between the Governments. This event was talked about for decades after, including my years at Tchaikovsky Conservatory, and I am sure years after. The young guy from Texas showed everyone in world, including the most conservative musical circles in Russia how to play their own composer's music. And they believed him, and he won! This was equal to fall of the Art Berlin Wall! If you love Classical Music you owe to yourself to get this!

This is the historic Grammy-winning album that brought Van Cliburn's famous interpretation of Tchaikovsky's 1st Piano Concerto to people's homes. It was the first classical album to go gold.

I had the CD but somehow lost it over several moves. Van Cliburn playing Rachmaninovs' Piano Concerto is the best to my untrained ears. The piano notes flow so effortlessly at times its feel like water streaming down a brook.