Pianist Valentina Lisitsa is probably one of the world’s most watched classical musicians – videos on her YouTube channel have been viewed over 43 million times – but until now she’s been entirely self-promoted.
But today it’s been announced that she has been signed to Decca Classics, a label which also boasts artists such as pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, violinist Janine Jansen and tenor Joseph Calleja.
Lisitsa first posted a video of herself performing Rachmaninov’s Etude Op. 39 No. 6 on YouTube in 2007 and the clip went viral. Her YouTube channel now has over 52,000 subscribers.
'Valentina's YouTube fame is genuine and well-deserved,' said Paul Moseley, managing director of Decca Classics. 'We are proud to be working with her as she reaches out to a huge number of classical fans in a modern and very immediate way.'
As a thank-you to her online fanbase Lisitsa has invited them to vote to help her decide what music she should perform at her Royal Albert Hall debut on 19 June. The concert will also be streamed live on YouTube.
‘I’m immensely looking forward to my debut concert at the Royal Albert Hall. I could not have done this without all my online fans around the world,’ said Lisitsa. ‘Their reactions tell me every day that I am doing the right thing and that’s the best reward for my hard work. Now I want to say thank you and give them a great concert live and online.’
The concert will be recorded and released as a digital-only release by Decca on 25 June and in CD format on 3 July.