The New York Times called American composer and harpist Hannah Lash’s work “striking and resourceful…handsomely brooding,” raving “you hoped to hear it again.” And artists have certainly agreed; her works have been commissioned by numerous orchestras and string quartets, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra and JACK Quartet, and performed at the country’s top venues, such as Carnegie Hall, Disney Concert Hall, (Le) Poisson Rouge, Tanglewood Music Center, and Aspen Music Festival.

a celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Van Cliburn’s historic International Tchaikovsky Competition victory

Sixty years ago, a 23-year-old Texan went to Moscow at the height of the Cold War and came back an American hero and an international icon. The impact of Van Cliburn’s victory at the First International Tchaikovsky Competition cannot be overstated; he disregarded boundaries and brought the world together through excellent music and his signature warmth.

Pianists Shields-Collins Bray, Catharine Lysinger, Alex McDonald, Evan Mitchell, and Jonathan Tsay take on some of American classical music’s greatest hits. In this special afternoon showcase, revel in performances of pieces by John Corigliano, Frederic Rzewski, Aaron Jay Kernis, and David Del Tredici, as well as the 1981 Cliburn Competition commission of Leonard Bernstein’s “Touches.”

For ticket information, call 817.212.4280 or visit www.cliburn.org

For information and tickets, call 817.212.4280 or visit http://www.cliburn.org/event/ben-moore-composer/.

The concept of the Cliburn at the Modern series, from its inception in 2002, is to celebrate the genius of composers from the United States—those creative masters who, in our day and time, keep classical music going from a distinctively American perspective, unafraid to expand the expectations of the art form. For the piano, this means continuing the direction that Chopin and others pointed to: they push its boundaries, finding new expressive possibilities within the instrument itself.

The music of American composer Ben Moore—who will be on hand to hear and discuss his works at this afternoon concert—has been performed by many leading singers, including soprano Deborah Voigt, mezzo-sopranos Susan Graham and Frederica von Stade, tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Robert White, baritone Nathan Gunn, and six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald. His work has been called “brilliant” and “gorgeously lyrical” by The New York Times, while Opera News has praised the “easy tunefulness” and “romantic sweep” of his songs.

Lowell Liebermann is one of America’s most frequently performed and recorded composers—a favorite among orchestras and distinguished artists worldwide. His compositions have been recorded and released by over 40 labels, and his Piano Concerto No. 2, performed by Stephen Hough and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, was nominated for a Grammy.

Cliburn at the Modern makes modern classical music truly exciting as highly acclaimed composers take the stage following the performance to discuss their work with the audience. For ticket information, call 817.212.4280 or visit www.cliburn.org.

Our city is rife with musical talent, with a rich history of encouraging young artists. No organization understands that better than the Cliburn, and it is fitting that we launch this year’s Modern series, which celebrates living American composers, with works that were written here in our hometown. Two brilliant composers, who have each chosen to make Fort Worth their home as associate professors at TCU, will showcase their music.