Ukrainian-born pianist will perform with Youngstown Symphony

the vindicator

YOUNGSTOWN — Due to immigration regulations, pianist Olga Kern will be unable to perform with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra at its Saturday concert at Powers Auditorium.

In her place will be pianist Valentina Lisitsa, who will perform the Rachmaninoff Second Piano Concerto with the orchestra and conductor Randall Craig Fleischer.

Described by critics as “a bona fide angel playing” and an “electrifying pianist,” the Ukrainian-born pianist made her debut with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra on Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto in February 2007.

Lisitsa’s orchestral repertory includes more than 40 concerti, all of which have been performed. She admits to having an affinity for the music of Rachmaninoff and Beethoven. This year, Lisitsa will perform Rachmaninoff’s “new Fifth” Concerto in her debut with the Rotterdam Symphony and is embarking on an ambitious recording project of the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas.

Born in Kiev, Lisitsa began to study piano at age 3 and performed her first solo recital at 4. After her studies, first in Lysenko School of Music and then in Kiev Conservatory, Valentina moved to the United States. She has performed in the world’s most prestigious concert venues. Her recent collaborations include tours with the National Philharmonic of Russia, Warsaw Philharmonic, Sao Palo Symphony, New Zealand Symphony and Prague Chamber Orchestra.

An avid chamber-music player, Lisitsa has performed with Lynn Harrell, Jimmy Lin, Roberto Diaz and Ida Haendel. Her most important musical partnership has been with violinist Hilary Hahn, with whom she toured extensively in 2007 and 2009.