undated
ballpoint pen and paper
7 3/8 x 5 3/8 inches
Burchfield Penney Art Center, Gift of Harriet and Mortimer Spiller, 1976
Burchfield's notations with this doodle: "Mozart Piano Violin Milstein" refers to Nathan Mironovich Milstein (1904-1992), who was a Russian and American virtuoso violinist. Widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time, Milstein was known for his interpretations of Bach's solo violin works and for works from the Romantic period. (Source: (Wikipedia overview)
The lower notations (with misspelled names): "Wise Virgins / Wm. Walton / 2 piano conc. / McDowell / (Van Clibern) has several references: "The Wise Virgins" is a one-act ballet based on the biblical "Parable of the Ten Virgins." It was created in 1940 with choreography by Frederick Ashton, to a score of music by Johann Sebastian Bach orchestrated by William Walton.
The "Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 23" by Edward MacDowell was completed in late 1885. Edward Alexander MacDowell (1860-1908) was an American composer and pianist of the late Romantic period. He was best known for his second piano concerto and his piano suites Woodland Sketches, Sea Pieces and New England Idylls. Woodland Sketches includes his most popular short piece, "To a Wild Rose". (Source: (Wikipedia overview)
Van Cliburn (1934-2013) was an American hero and an international icon for over five decades. He was heralded by U.S. Presidents, world leaders, the international press, and a vast, adoring public as one of the most persuasive ambassadors of American culture, as well as one of the greatest pianists in the history of music. He was beloved not only for his momentous gift as a brilliant musician, but also for his transcendent spirit as a great humanitarian. (https://cliburn.org/about/van-cliburns-legacy) — Nancy Weekly