August 13 - 19 Listening/Composer Assignment (remember that listening assignments apply to the weeks during which the listening is assigned.)

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Composer (listen to the three examples on the page!):

http://www.dsokids.com/listen/ComposerDetail.aspx?composerID=35 

And YouTube links:

Van Cliburn, one of the most famous pianists of today, playing the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no. 1, first movement (it is missing the last few minutes, unfortunately). I've been fortunate enough to perform the first movement with orchestra. It is an incredible piece. This is one of the most famous recordings, ever (the story of Cliburn playing in Russia is monumental in music history): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M7M4UoqBpA&feature=relmfu

Question: Look up on Google the history of Cliburn playing Tchaikovsky's piano concerto in Russia under conductor Kondrashin and give a summery of why it was so important.