Antuanetta Mishchenko was a 21-year-old music student when she climbed on top of the remains of a burned bus to perform an impromptu recital on a blue and yellow piano.
It was 2014 at the height of the Euromaidan protests in Kyiv, Ukraine, which took place during a long, freezing winter. Surrounded by protesters and special police forces, she played a selection of classical pieces, enchanting onlookers and passersby. This iconic performance not only demonstrated Antuanetta’s exceptional talent but also her deep connection to her Ukrainian roots.
Antuanetta Mishchenko | Image supplied
Antuanetta Mishchenko's journey into the world of music began at a very young age. Born into a musical family, she began playing piano at the age of five and delivered her first solo performance when at seven. During the 2014 protests in Kyiv, she was studying at the prestigious National Music Academy of Ukraine.
10 years on from her historical performance in Kyiv, Antuanetta is now a highly respected concert pianist and music teacher at the Peter Cornelius Conservatory in Mainz, Germany. She is a laureate of various international competitions and has performed in many different countries around Europe, including Ukraine, Germany, Italy, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and more.
Next month, Antuanetta will travel all the way to Western Australia to perform a special, one-night-only recital at Perth Concert Hall. Joining her for this rare performance will be musicians from our wonderful Perth Symphony Orchestra and 18-year-old cellist, Ustym Sokalskyi.
Antuanetta Mishchenko | Image supplied
Antuanetta can masterfully perform music by a wide range of composers from different eras but is most passionate about Ukrainian music. Her Perth recital will feature works by Sylwestrow, Lyssenko and Lysohub, a rendition of the Ukrainian National Anthem, as well as a performance of Beethoven’s famous ‘Emperor’ concerto.
She has also selected the International Charitable Foundation ‘Health of the Ukrainian People’ to benefit from this concert. You can learn more about the fund and donate here.
Don’t miss Concert for Ukraine on Thursday 30 November, 7:30pm. Find tickets and more information.
Follow Antuanetta on Facebook and Instagram and check out her YouTube channel.
