Valentina Lisitsa is
not only the first
YouTube star of
classical music; more
importantly, she is
the first classical artist
to have converted
her internet success
into a global concert
career in the principal
venues of Europe, the
United States, South
America and Asia.
The Ukraine-born artist began her musical
education in her native city of Kiev at the Lysenko
Music School for highly talented children and
continued at the Conservatoire in the city. Not
confining herself to the musical world, she also
dreamed of a career as a professional chess player.
After immigrating to the United States, Lisitsa
launched herself as a piano-duet partner alongside
her husband. Several competition successes and
THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA | 2018-2019
the consequent concert engagements marked the
start of her life as a concert artist. Soon, however,
she looked for new ways of enlarging her audience.
Her exceptional sense of new developments and
her openness to unconventional approaches
proved vital.
She posted her first video on YouTube in 2007, and
the views increased staggeringly. The foundation
stone of a social-network career unparalleled in the
history of classical music was laid.
Highlights of past seasons include a sold-out
concert at Auditorio Nacional with the Spanish
National Orchestra, where Lisitsa played all the
piano concerts and Rhapsody on a Theme of
Paganini by Rachmaninoff in one evening. Recently,
she toured with the Russian State Philharmonic in
Great Britain and played recitals during a South
America tour. Additional appearances include the
United States, Korea, South Africa, Spain, France,
Germany and Belgium. A special highlight includes
a concert in honor of the King of Taipei.
VALENTINA LISITSA
Piano
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