********Van Cliburn collapses in concert

[KCW]

On Fri, 15 May 1998, Conrad Hoffsommer wrote:

> The following came over the harpsichord list, but I thought it would be
> appropriate here.
> 
> >From: "James R. (Jay) McCarty, M.D." <jmccarty@nationwide.net>
> >Subject:      ********Van Cliburn collapses in concert
> >To: HPSCHD-L@CNSIBM.ALBANY.EDU
> >
> >I know this is off-topic, but I thought you all should know that last night
> >Van Cliburn collapsed on stage here in Fort Worth while playing Rach 2.
> >This was his fifth appearance in a week of celebrating the opening of our
> >new concert hall.
> >
> >Van had a major memory lapse in the first movement, but covered it well and
> >got through the slow movement without problems. In the middle of the 3rd
> >movement he  omitted several bars in a solo section, played another two,
> >then fell over unconscious. Those of us in the audience sat in shock while
> >two friends of mine, a cardiologist and an internist, rushed to the stage
> >to help. He was carried out on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital. I
> >haven't been able to get any more information on his condition yet.
> >
> >Van is a great artist who also is one of the nicest people you could ever
> >meet. I hope you all will join me in praying for his complete recovery.


Let's hope he just wanted to go home earlier so he could see the last
episode of Seinfeld.  


> >
> >James R. (Jay) McCarty, M.D.
> >Fort Worth, TX
> >"Sine ars, scientia nihil est"
> >
> >
> 
> Conrad Hoffsommer		Office - (319) 387-1204
> Luther College                         Music Dept Fax - (319) 387-1076
> 700 College Drive
> Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045             hoffsoco@martin.luther.edu
> 
> Oh wad some power the giftie gie us; to see oursel's as others see us!
> It wad some monie a blunder free us, and foolish notion.
> - Robert Burns
>