Van Cliburn passes at age 78 in Ft Worth

van cliburn, a photo by More TCI images on Flickr.

Van Cliburn, the internationally celebrated pianist whose triumph at a 1958 Moscow competition helped thaw the Cold War and launched a spectacular career, has died. He was 78, said the AP.

Cliburn died early Wednesday at his Fort Worth home following a battle with bone cancer, said his longtime friend Mary Lou Falcone.