Music As Witness feat. Concert Pianist, Anna Shelest

In this episode of The Piano Pod, we are joined by concert pianist Anna Shelest.Her work spans major orchestral collaborations, recording projects, and repertoire advocacy — but this conversation centers on her latest album A Romantic from Kharkiv; Music of Sergei Bortkiewicz and the deeper artistic and cultural meaning behind it.Together, we explore how music becomes a form of testimony — shaped by memory, identity, and history — and how Shelest’s connection to Kharkiv, Ukraine informs her interpretation of Bortkiewicz’s music. We also discuss her Donna Voce project, her collaboration with conductor Neeme Järvi on Anton Rubinstein’s piano concertos, and her work as part of the Shelest Piano Duo with her husband, Dmitri Shelest.This episode is sponsored by the Alexander & Buono Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting classical musicians through performance opportunities, recordings, and artistic development.This episode offers a powerful reflection on rediscovery, cultural heritage, and the role of classical music in today’s world.📖 Read the blog (Meet Our Guest): Anna Shelest — Concert Pianist🎧 Listen to Anna Shelest on Spotify🎬 Explore more video clips on YouTube💖 Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content on Substack🎵 Listen to the Season 6 Piano PlaylistNOMINATE GUESTS FOR SEASON 7: https://forms.gle/z3Q78dtTBbe5hdYr9📫 Join our Newsletter🌐 Visit our Website📱 Follow The Piano Pod on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok🔗 Access all links via Linktree🎧 Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, artistry, and the future of classical music.