Her childhood dream was to become a professional chess player. Her entire artistic route was riddled with “traps” for that matter (with being offered the chance to work for the United States Government as the sole example). These were meant to distract her from what turned out to be her true calling – music: piano, to be more precise.

“Intense company”, “The queen of the piano” are just some of the words the international press uses to describe Valentina Lisitsa. “The YouTube artist” seems to be the label that best fits the Kiev born pianist. Presently, ValentinaLisitsa, her channel on the famous website, numbers over 70 million views.

On Thursday, 30^th April, Valentina Lisitsa will be the French National Orchestra’s soloist, in a concert conducted by Kristjan Järvi. The main conductor of the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra will be directing a programme comprising opuses by Arvo Pärt, Edvard Grieg and Carl Nielsen. The concert will take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet and will be broadcast live by Radio Romania Music.

The European Music Stage – live broadcast from Paris: Valentina Lisitsa and the French National Orchestra, under the baton of Kristjan Järvi, on 3^rd April, at 21:00. Commentator: Anca Ioana Andriescu.