Valentina Lisitsa plays for passengers at St Pancras International Station

[@JarrodTheKiwi]

After years of drunken "Chopsticks" & ear hurting "Fur Elise's", the poor tired old piano finally wins the lottery! I can almost see it smiling :)

[@therainforest4314]

I so agree with you...lolol. :)

[@UTubeSL]

Haha love this.

[@failer091]

Haha perfect comment. U can see it with a cigarette afterwards staring at the ceiling with a mile long smile

[@Martin-kg8tt]

What's wrong with fur Elise, even if it's overplayed a LOT it's still a masterpiece and one of my fav pieces

[@syuamirul3684]

Nocturne Op. 9 no. 2, I can see its weeping

[@catherineblair5648]

This is what I love about Valentina Lisitsa, who is a brilliant concert pianist, who can find the time and grace, to play on an old banger, out of tune piano, at one of our train stations in London, and feed us some much needed culture, to the masses! How I wish I'd been there, what an amazing unusual performance. Thank you so much Valentina, you are a star, and a lady.

[@barbara-1]

Amazing!! Thanks, Catherine :-)

[@irankh1895]

Bless her soul ! Truly amazing !

[@moonpagan]

Catherine Blair So well put, Catherine. I could not agree more. ;-} >

[@AdlerSantos]

I make your words mine!

[@enricgarrigasanchez260]

Catherine Blair anyone knows what's the name of the song she plays at 7:54???

[@otonanoC]

The little piano never had it this good.

[@poloventura]

It really didn't!

[@infinity251214]

there is what I would definitely consider an equal though. youtube Henri Herbert. he has also played this piano at this exact place. i'm not a big fan of boogie woogie but this guy is so good he made me really enjoy watching and listening to it. so much fun to watch two great talented people show how well they have mastered playing the piano.

[@emilioporro]

To have been kissed as She kisses the Keys has added moments f Heaven to a very long life .F

[@davidsosa538]

A little fact about Valentina, as a child she was a gifted chess player who were supossed to build up a a profesional carreer on it, once in an interview she was asked in what moment of her life she decided to switch from chess to piano and she said that at some point playing chess she ¨started looking for more beautiful moves...instead of winning moves..." I guess that`s what she gets from this kind of performances, The old forgotten piano brought back to life, her ephemeral moment at a train station, the people taking a minute of their life to contemplate the art...what I see in this video is pure beauty, the true purpose of music, and Valentina is such an advanced mind an spirit...

[@nuthineatholl6434]

If I were a striving higher-order anthropoid animal, she'd be my spirit-human -- this would charismaticallly catalyze the expedited evolutionary growth of those technically-all-important opposable thumbs for my paws! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH_bhWqhiruKpcU kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3unq5-ejJiLiq8 ( ಠ ͜ʖಠ)

[@Andrea-hc4kz]

she's brilliant. love her

[@allancerf9038]

Hmmm. I've heard her say her teachers realized she was far the most gifted student in Ukraine (3 weeks instead of 3 months to learn huge pieces) and that she was a bitter pianist than chess player.

[@aaliiissssaaaaaa_21]

@@allancerf9038 what do you mean by bitter?

[@Allan-et5ig]

@@aaliiissssaaaaaa_21 Alissa I don't see my remark any more. Don't know why it's gone. What did it say?

[@zxxz0000]

She made that piano so happy.

[@Sheffield6688]

Valentina Lisitsa is quite humble. I got to see her play with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra back in January of 2005. She did Shostakovich's “Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major”. What was great was that after her performance (which was perfect), she went out and sat in the audience to see the RPO do Beethoven's “Symphony No. 3 in Eb Major (‘Eroica’)" with the rest of us. No airs or pretentions at all. I love people like that.

[@frankishsid2692]

I am sure in the life of that piano it has never witnessed anything like this. Valentina is truly the greatest.

[@TheNellNadie]

0:00 El Contrabandista by Liszt 2:50 Nocturne by Chopin Op.9 No. 2 6:59 Beethoven's apassionata 8:34 Liszt Totentanz

[@Alessandro_Komarov]

Thank you

[@willemeret2398]

The end is not totentanz it’s still el contrabandista

[@ewcho8995]

Karen Kim For the very end, its still El Contrabandista. Where the hell did you get Totentanz from?? bruh

[@daviddinoger]

@@ewcho8995 She switched from Totentanz to El Contrabandista... 8:34 clearly is Totentanz.

[@samuelsoltesz]

@@ewcho8995 it is Totentanz

[@luigipati3815]

Only a great pianist smiles while playing insanely difficult repertory, and, for good measure, improvises a great performance anywhere, on a old and rickety piano in her coat. A great lesson in instrumental mastery, top musicianship, and natural fearlessness.

[@pineapple7024]

I dunno, I smile every time I fuck up lmao

[@IvanEDaza]

Also an important lesson that a real professional doesn’t complain about the instrument, or has any stupid pretensions of it having to be a perfectly balanced/tuned piano, or having that elitist idiot idea if it’s electronic and not acoustic it’s unplayable. A real master will still play on it out of joy, adapting to it and giving that instrument a soul.

[@bfreebody]

I can almost hear the piano crying with both joy and sadness. Joy for the magnificent farewell and sadness that this must truly be the end.

[@vivalafisy]

K.

[@ThePilot314]

It is so wonderful to see that Valentina is first of all a woman who loves to play piano and after this she is one of the best pianist in the world. Playing the piano just for fun! And may be realy a little bit PLAYING with the music. WHAT A LOVELY SUPERSTAR!

[@davidbee8178]

WOW . . . can you imagine seeing this piano "magician" and being able to observe her doing her craft up so close? Even concert goers don't get to see this! What is so nice is to see is her delight in playing for the impromptu gathering - she is not only a great musician she is a generous human being too.

[@darkstars101]

Lol I was like "Wow! Quite the talent for some random street person!" And then I googled her. Yeah..

[@michaelmiller1215]

darkstars101 HARDLY some random street person!

[@rupe82]

Yea for someone with THAT amount of talent, it's just not possible to be a random street person.

[@Flies_the_limit]

Lol yeah...

[@Tom-xv5rk]

We're all random street people

[@manuelbes]

Bro, she played El contrabandista, she's one of the very few who play this piece

[@dianaliberty3099]

Blew those spectators minds. Who is playing like this? Look at those great hands fingers. Look at that giving soul, always sharing. Gift of a lifetime to stand there stuck like glue unable to move. Those lucky ones will never forget this moment. Sharing time space with the greatest pianist in a train station. Wish it was me, too. VALENTINA LISITSA

[@ClassicalJams]

The mark of a true artist. I love her impromptu public performances. To me, perhaps the greatest pianist of our time! ~Jackie

[@motorus24]

Валентина виртуозно владеет инструментом!

[@ClassicalJams]

Владимир Мурин Absolutely!!!

[@mariokrueger455]

she very well could be.

[@kevintran1070]

Yes, one of the greatest! :)

[@ClassicalJams]

Kevin Tran Just mesmerizing, isn't it? Take care, Kevin :-) ~Jackie

[@andyhamilton5459]

Very humbling experience watching such genuine greatness.

[@steveweiser2792]

jeez she made that piano sound heavenly on that Chopin Nocturne , and shes the only top pianist willing to perform freely in public which in my eyes makes even more adorable .

[@odderanswer]

Whoever started the public piano movement should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize!

[@nuthineatholl6434]

Notwithstanding that Mme L.'s playing is absolutely killing! ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWLJiH2BlrqNlZY You know, someone really needs to make a series of "Classical Robots" . . .

[@truettneathery4358]

I sure woulda ???

[@davehshs651]

Love the way she so elegantly, naturally strokes the keys in the Chopin piece. She's totally at one with the piano -- even an old, out-of-tune banger like this one.

[@wandak3025]

This old piano has found its soul mate way past its prime. I can relate to that.😁

[@teijatuulia]

I think this is what music and audience should be - just playing, living... without any sarcasm or mean comments. Music belongs to everyone!

[@allancerf9038]

Amen, Teija.

[@mrwaterghost]

I admit it, publicly. I simply adore her and everything she stands for.

[@jaystark841]

So you're in favor of her belief about the Crimea?

[@Bilytkid]

@@jaystark841 _ She's from Ukraine. She grew up there. I'm sure she's very knowledgable about it.

[@jaystark841]

@@Bilytkid I didn't ask you what she knew. I asked you if you are in agreement that Russia should be allowed to take land belonging to another country.

[@Bilytkid]

@@jaystark841 - your comment only shows you're a hater. You should try to find another video, which is about geo-global politics where you can expound on your expertise (or utter lack - thereof) on the subject.

[@jaystark841]

@@Bilytkid I know this: Putin illegally took over the Crimea. She supports that. Now I support her musical ideas. I've said that publicly. Am I a hater? I hate the Jr. Stalin that currently rules Russia. Yeah, in regards to him I could be called a hater. The pianist under discussion? I don't know her whole story. She published remarks indicating she was in favor of Russian troops being in Crimea. Then there were a couple of concerts cancelled in Canada because concert organizers didn't appreciate her comments. Who are the haters, Lamont? PS - Insulting someone in a conversation says more about you than it does about them.

[@hp19501990]

The always amazing, Valentina Lisitsa, the best pianist alive and as a bonus, she has a HUGE HEART !!

[@Crusader1815]

Valentina is definitely one of the coolest musicians out there. It's so great that on the spur of the moment she will just bring this music to passersby for the sake of pure enjoyment... hers and theirs.

[@eduardobarajas3101]

I really LOVE her face at 5:40 when se has to slow down because of the poor quality of the piano. Regardless this little inconvenience its always a pleasure to hear Valentina playing. Love her even more.

[@rodolfonunhez]

A true artist - so filled with Light that will play so magically in a falling apart piano just because Music is her way of sharing her great Love to her neighbors. Love you Valentina!

[@dianaemilia485]

Wow! This piano is probably the worst piano in the world and she makes it sound good anyway. Really good. I also love how she's not a diva, but playing for anybody in public just like that. Love her.

[@meelemus]

Hey! Who is she? of course she makes it sound good. She is valentina.

[@rogerroger600]

I like this about her as well.

[@oi.meunomeejaoram6214]

Diana Emilia No. the worst is mine. No doubt

[@vesteel]

My old upright is the worst in the world. Haven't tuned since 1985!

[@arthurhayes109]

It’s not that bad.

[@juliep001]

Wow, what a treat for the people at st Pancras and for the piano, bet it felt replenished afterwards ! what a beautiful ‘ no airs and graces’ ‘down to earth’ lady she is.

[@charl3534]

She's so adorable.

[@crisc.4840]

Jesus,i just cant stop crying.....Valentina...ur incredible!Tnx for every second u share with us.Best piano player ever saw.This moment is unique,not sure that ppl realized how lucky they was to see her live in a station.

[@atthebridge]

I wonder how many people missed their train.

[@michaelmiller1215]

atthebridge only the INTELLIGENT ones!

[@leonardovasques1680]

I would have done the same hahah and would stay there for the eternity loving her job on piano ♡ I love that woman

f that train

[@Gr8Layks]

She loves playing for people, and we lover her for it!

[@adityabodhe3340]

she makes a broken piano sing, and a broken person smile! I love her

[@DRAKKA23]

happiest day of that piano ever :D

[@mariehernandes1772]

Funny, Drakka23Live

[@matthaines6142]

Simply divine. Thank you, Valentina, for sharing your gift with the world.

[@brisasde7]

ahhhh there are no words as to the joy she brings in her playing !

[@bladedspokes]

Omg I think I'm in love

[@maxoggle11]

What a Mesmerising performance. I've been listening to radio three for about seven years and this is way better than anyting modern.

[@delloso100]

The ivorless G key was no obstacle to her virtiosity.Thank you for the music!.

[@marjan6008]

Only Valentina can make an old piano sound really good with a free concert

[@ThePilot314]

Mr. Liszt - I believe - was very happy to hear his music as wonderful sound from earth!!!

[@iannisanarys6887]

One of the very finest piano player in the world playing this (bad) piano for people at the train station is just ... AMAZING !

[@tomkassai]

unreal.The most gorgeous talented woman in the Universe..

[@glennwilliamsphotography791]

Valentina is a miracle.

[@JMo2255]

She can achieve so much clarity on a piano that has seen better days.

[@TheBluesnbob]

Amazing to watch people completely ignoring this Angelic buffet of talent and musical delight; completely oblivious! Thank you Valentina for your wonderful contributions! You make my life better!

[@FakeItaliano]

Not only an incredible pianist, but, above all, an incredible person! Bravo, Valentina Lisitsa! I salute you!

[@hyoyeonsblondehair4315]

She made the old piano sound the most beautiful it has ever been!

[@gillylloyd9454]

A true star in every sense of the word! Bravo!

[@bpw466]

That had to be the happiest day of that poor old neglected piano's life. Despite its discrepancies, she made it sound beautiful and its discrepancies just add loads of character. Amazing. I wonder if the piano tried to follow her home afterwards.

[@billification2010]

The peoples' pianist!! On a piano that had maybe 84 working keys and hadn't been tuned this century. If she keeps playing on random pianos like this, maybe some more people will get to like classical music. For the rest of us, we'll just listen on KZbin and her CD's and go to her concerts. And bask in the wonderfulness.

[@happyface1739]

The people's pianist! Best way to describe her. I love it.

[@mudkip_btw]

She got me fully interested in classical music after seeing her play Chopin pieces and Beethoven sonatas. Started off with the well-known, 'nice' music. Now I'm interested in any form of classical music. It's really great. I'm a beginner at playing piano, and should I get to a level somewhere close to her I'll be sure to share it. Classical music is one of the most commonly underrated things I've ever come across

[@joepiano8238]

Bill P I am one of those people who didn't really listen to classical music although my wife was quite a piano player. I now listen to all kinds of classical because I happened to see Valentina on here. There are no words to describe how talented she is and to be so humble to play for what...30 people? And I didn't see her hold back whatsoever. Truly a wonderful woman (Wonder Woman?) Ha! The Peoples Pianist ! The lovely Valentina Lisitsa

[@LookWithinForBliss]

Fantastic! What a rare opportunity - a chance to see a master of the piano from such close quarters. I’m sure that the tiny audience will never forget this brilliant concert.

[@Ampex196]

I goes to show that the quality of the instrument matters. Valentina is truly amazing! Who else could make a knackered old piano sound this good?

[@gmee123]

Yea no kidding! One of those keys was stuck down! If you have a discerning ear, you can hear the missing notes,but she plays on through the movements like nothing is wrong lol Now THAT'S skill!

[@joaoomar]

A wonderful gift!!! In an old piano... beyond any instrument is her musicality...

[@LuluBodhi]

For me, it shows what great respect she has for music and for the instrument, that she will play on any piano that you roll in front of her.

[@Jude-gk7cz]

What an amazing surprise at 5.39, WOW!! Some beautiful embellishments to this lovely piece

[@AndyGraceMedia]

Yes she's covering up a couple of the bad keys... astonishingly good.

[@theDigited]

Seeing her playing is entrancing. I'd happily miss all my trains if I'd ever happen to come by such a performance.

[@lorienmeister]

She's a hardworking lady. Practicing at every opportunity. Superb playing.

[@heartmindmusic1]

No matter what piano and condition, she makes it sound wonderful! Bravo!

[@zorglub667]

little old piano to itself: best day of my life, and ive been at this for a while.

[@greyantelope]

A true star and a very caring and sharing individual whose talent knows no bounds.

[@Shinzoo9402]

So much talent. I just can’t get enough of her. She is genuily good, humble, and love the piano. Simply the best. 😍

[@fredwilson7448]

I can't believe that anyone as accomplished as she is, who would go to a railroad station and play a funky old upright piano for any one who wants to listen, has any malice in her heart for anyone.

[@warrengwonka2479]

Her train was running late.

[@chevychase]

WOW!!! That was amazing! She is one of the greats!!!!!!!!!!

[@tonygriffin_]

Brilliant as always, passionate as always, enjoying herself immensely as always, thrilling an audience as always. Valentina - as always, being herself.

[@DiSanzio]

Beautiful Valentina! You are such a great artist with a very generous heart!

[@unclefredwilson]

Last Christmas season Suzanne Michell and I went to St. Pancras. She sat down at, not this piano, but the other and started playing AC Jobim. Then two men, who we later learned were Brazilian, came by. Stopped and gaped- who is this blind woman playing "Wave" on this old funky piano. An experience we'll never forget. I can only imagine how how the travelers reacted to hear the great Valentina playing an old funky piano in the station. Awesome!

[@lisitsavalentino4034]

I love watching lisitsa play on these broken substandard pianos.....she really makes them sound so well! She is a expert and brave lady to perform those hard ones on this piano as well! Especially totentanz! Bravo!

[@DrMGoesWild]

I agree with you, this is what music is all about, Valentina shows true artistry and humanity, hopefully the 21st century brings more of this!

[@DavidStahl]

This little episode showcases more than your wonderful abilities at the piano -- it demonstrates your unwavering capacity to handle almost any situation with calm and self insight.

[@LookWithinForBliss]

Valentina is just so good.

[@steveeasby3723]

After seeing this I will be in shock for the rest of the day! Did our 'public' realise what a special thing this was? Loved the Chopin.

[@johnmonenudds]

God she’s amazing I am in awe!! 😍

[@thibomeurkens2296]

Valentina plays foremost for the music and the happiness that it brings to anyone who hears it! That why she is probably the most extraordinary pianist of our time!

[@stacysalinas22]

Those people were so lucky to have been able to witness such a performance! Imagine to be that close to that level of perfection! To just stand feet away, you could feel the music's vibration...breathe it in.

[@zeng-happy]

If we can leave some time even few minutes daily to enjoy the music, to feel the beautiful things easily ignored and listen to voices from heart. The real artist is not always on the bright stage and looks like a star at a distance. Thanks valentina ! You let me feel art is simple and could be anybody's part of life.

[@soogoonu]

wonderfully crazy girl - if this performance is not just showing love for the music I don't know what it is

[@ledernierdesmohicans5123]

Excellent! Thank you so much Valentina!

[@brunobelotticom]

I tried to play one of those pianos in St.Pancras, but I ended up confused by the lack of tune. Well, she doesn't seem very confused: maybe mine was more lack of talent...! :) Absolutely wonderful!

[@jonhandel8159]

I would happily miss my train just to stay and hear her play.

[@dahmin]

My daughter plays on that piano :) Wish we were there when she was!!! She's so amazing.

[@G6JPG]

Have you shown your daughter this clip?

[@mikaelkenner]

when i studied violin i had maybe about 2 "lessons" a month. was not beginning grade. you would not believe all the crazy places i would have a lesson. it was like anywhere we could find some space. he explained to me that "a great violinist has to be able to play under any and all circumstances" well, valentina, you also know this. the most important thing is the music. and even with a run-down honk-tonk upright everything is still there. you figured out how to get what you wanted out of the old shlep of a piano. thanks for doing this. i was surprised there was not a line out the door. oh well. it is all about the music!! ya know one of Beethoven's pianos is in philadelphia and one or two of rach's. phila is certainly not köln nowadays. what a cool thing it would be to do a concert with these pianos even if they are not bösendorfers :) kind of a throw back and something very unique.

[@argenisdominguezmolina5981]

She is so Amazing!!!!!!!!! I love listening and watching her play ( =

[@acrosstheuniverseish]

Fantastic. A great pianist playing that tatty old piano sitting with the public right next to her. Congrats. Wouldn't it be great for more of the top performers to do this.

[@ThePilot314]

That is 1 Mio percent understatement or better to say ............. simply nice and without any star behaviour! Chapeau, Chapeau, Chapeau Valentina

[@RemovdSande11]

I love the tone color of this piano. Brilliantly played by Valentina aswell.

[@tulilintu]

Valentina, a gift from God to the humankind.

[@zStarklStudiosInc]

+Matias Säily You're insulting all her hard work, no one brought her here, or gave her that playing, she worked hard and got what she wanted.

[@gramo63]

+Kénan Zeljković Each one of us, including Kenan Zeljkovic is a gift from God to humankind. Because each one of us has some good , big or small, to give to his fellowmen..

[@zStarklStudiosInc]

Ramon O She was not handed this skill, she earned this skill. Her hard work paid off. If she sat at home and prayed to play Rach's 2nd Concerto, she wouldn't play it. Hard work and determination is what makes the best athletes and pianists. I'll pray and pray and pray but still will never get to play Rach's 2nd Concerto. If I get the hard work and determination, I might do it.

[@gramo63]

+Kénan Zeljković I am sure that God gave you abilities that He did not give to Ms. Lisitsa. The two of you have different gifts from God. If you work hard and pray hard, you will eventually discover your unique abilities. If you just pray hard, you will probably go to Heaven without discovering all your abilities. At your age, you may have a difficult time being able to play Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto Nr. 2 as well as Ms. Lisitsa. You should have started practicing the piano during your childhood years, and kept it up, along with your prayers. Today, you might consider something more attainable, like being an organ donor. I'm sure many sick people will appreciate your sacrifice and generosity in this endeavor. And they will thank God for putting kind people like yourself in this world.

[@johne6081]

Both of you are correct. Achievement = talent * effort. It always requires both.

[@hurricane_hazel]

When played well, and with heart, beautiful music always shines through. Even on a sad old filthy piano such as this.

[@joestephens7105]

What terrific fun!!

[@joestephens7105]

3:38 - one of the most touching Chopin moments ever.

[@1961FdC]

The celebrated 'Queen of Rachmaninov' courageously renounced the privileges of her role, financial comfort, extraordinary international artistic fame, and the passion of a lifetime in order to choose freedom of thought and love for her people. There are no limits to the admiration that this extraordinary human being inspires in free people.

[@beatlessteve1010]

She was just jamming ..she is so damn good..she have those ever elusive magic piano fingers..I'm sure that paino never had such a work out

[@anagram80100]

This is just so cool

[@janiakowska]

magnifique !

[@christothemurph]

I have tears in my eyes... thank you Valentina

[@herederosolar]

Desde México, todo mi amor para ti, Valentina. Tu música es tu alma y tu alma es toda generosidad.

[@Finarphin]

Love this. The whole idea of it.

[@armeyf]

It's so impressive that she is not bothered by the humble piano she's playing. She's making that old beauty sing. Her endless repertoire of memorized endless numbers is astonishing. Everything about her music is astonishing.

[@ravenalwatar8132]

If we have just 2 of u in our city... Evrything going to be okay and the war well stop Love u u r my angel of music

[@cswalker21]

Ha ha, if that boogie-woogie guy showed up and was like "nope, not today"

[@weepingeye]

Ok. You're a piano player on a whole different level when you start casually improvising/embellishing Chopin. Wow.. just wow.

[@ThiagoLisboaOficial]

Magnificent! Inspiring! Breathtaking! "Valentina bless Music." 00:00 - Liszt: Rondo Fantastique “El Contrabandista” 02:51 - Chopin: Nocturne Op.9 No.2 06:59 - Beethoven: Sonata No.23 Op.57 “Appassionata” 08:34 - Liszt: Totentanz 09:30 - Liszt: Rondo Fantastique “El Contrabandista”