Valentina Lisitsa?

[Bonzo]

Here where we live in Dayton Ohio we are fortunate enough to have our own home town Philharmonic Orchestra, and a world class theater, the Schuester Center. My wife and I take advantage of this 4 or 5 times a year to go see various performances. Last Saturday was a truly special occasion, hence why I am posting this. We had the opportunity to see Valentina Lisitsa perform Rachmaninoffs Piano Concerto #2. I am a very casual classical music person. I typically really enjoy it, but I don’t follow it at all, and it is not my main go to music. I don’t know anything about it other than the music I hear and own. I know even less about the actual people playing the music. One orchestra vs another hasn’t ever really meant much to me. I don’t have a trained ear to truly tell the differences. Until Saturday I had never even heard of Valentina. I only knew we were going to see Rachmaninoff and that was it. WOW, was I blown away. She was simply amazing. Truly mesmerizing. She played for about 45 minutes and it only seemed like 5. I was transfixed by the way she played. It was truly unbelievable to me how one person could make such an impact on the entire performance. I loved it.

My main reason for posting this is purely selfish. I am hoping that there are some people out there familiar with her music, and perhaps, know a good route to take in searching out and listening to her music. It doesn’t appear she has too many CD’s, so it may not be too hard. But I would be interested to hear other’s opinions that know more about her than I do, which is nothing really.

Secondarily, if there are other casual classical piano fans out there like me, very unknowing, then I think you all might enjoy checking Valentina out.

Here is a video of her performing the Concerto #2 with another orchestra.
youtu.be/Zi0Sq_iJGUs

Here is a link to her doing my wife’s favorite piece of music, Rhapsody On A Theme of Paganini.
youtu.be/BRKZAxStvQo

Here is her Youtube Video Page
www.youtube.com/user/ValentinaLisitsa

Her website.
www.valentinalisitsa.com/

Wiki
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentina_Lisitsa

And then some links just in case you live in the Dayton area and have never been to the Schuster. Highly recommended.

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
daytonperformingarts.org/

Schuster Performing Arts Center
www.schustercenter.org/

Outside



Inside

[Bonzo]

So are there not any classical fans out there that have any opinions about this woman? If not, that's cool. Just thought there might be.

[novisnick]

Apr 30, 2015 9:07:14 GMT -5 Bonzo said:

So are there not any classical fans out there that have any opinions about this woman? If not, that's cool. Just thought there might be.

I've never heard of her, but today I will look her up at some point and see what I can find. Always looking for variety my friend, thanks!!

[novisnick]

Watched and listened to the first link, blown away!!! I'll definitely listen to more, so graceful and eloquent in her strokes and sound, soft yet firm and stronge when required.

[Bonzo]

Apr 30, 2015 9:57:11 GMT -5 novisnick said:

Watched and listened to the first link, blown away!!! I'll definitely listen to more, so graceful and eloquent in her strokes and sound, soft yet firm and stronge when required.

You summed it up well. Watching her live, it all boiled up to mesmerizing!!!! I will be listening to more for sure.

[seppo]

Hypnotizing....thank you for the tip, I definitely need to check her out. Now, I  remember reading about her in relation to her Ukraine comments and subsequent cancellation of her concert in Toronto.

Luckily, it looks like Tidal Hifi has a quite a good selection:

[seppo]

Just now listening to her playing Philip Glass, just wow...

[bub]

May 1, 2015 20:33:40 GMT -5 seppo said:

Hypnotizing....thank you for the tip, I definitely need to check her out. Now, I  remember reading about her in relation to her Ukraine comments and subsequent cancellation of her concert in Toronto.

Luckily, it looks like Tidal Hifi has a quite a good selection:


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Hypnotizing is the word. Until 4:17 on How Now. Glass. She slams the keys. Very dynamic. I've been sitting here listening for close to 2 hours. Very enjoyable.

[Bonzo]

She's almost as good and this guy. Wish I could have seen him live in his prime.

youtu.be/ltrDUY1hr-E

[ÈlTwo]

I'll have to give her a listen. Can't do it at the office, cheap headphones wouldn't do anything justice.