1.   And the very name Van Cliburn is so idolized in Russia that the dream of competing in the namesake competition is pervasive among young Russian pianists.

2.   As a Russian pianist specializing in the Russian and Romantic repertory, Kissin has not surprisingly been touted as the heir to Horowitz.

3.   Big management is pushing hard for Arcadi Volodos, a young Russian pianist of freakish virtuosity and not a hint of Bartolian charm.

4.   Although Cliburn became known as a pupil of Rosina Lhevinne, the famous Russian pianist and Juilliard teacher, she came along late in his development.

5.   Constantin Lifschitz is not the most publicized of the young Russian pianists, but he is the most significant.

6.   Even before the Cliburn competition began, Russian pianist Anton Mordasov had decided he needed to make some life changes.

7.   Kasman, who beat his chair in elation when his name was announced, is a traditional bravura Russian pianist who can pound out the romantics with the best.

8.   She had studied with Russian pianist Josef Lhevinne, whose wife, Rosina, taught Van Cliburn at the Juilliard School of Music.

9.   Victor Chestopal was born in Russia, lives in Finland and studies in Italy, but he is still a Russian pianist.

10.   When Dmitri Teterin finished his Scarlatti sonatas yesterday, audience member Barbara Koerble was as relieved as the Russian pianist.