Two musical prodigies
Shelest Piano Duo — From the Heart of Ukraine
The Shelest Piano Duo is one of the most distinguished piano duos on the international concert scene. Anna and Dmitri Shelest began their musical training in Ukraine, and their careers have taken them to Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and major concert halls throughout the United States and Europe, as well as performances with major orchestras including the Cincinnati Symphony and Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal.
Fanfare music magazine praised their “stirring performances of rare repertory,” while The New York Times described Anna Shelest’s playing as having a “fiery sensibility and warm touch.”
📅 Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
🎶 Concert Begins: 5:00 PM — Don’t be late or you’ll miss the magic! 😊
📍 Location: Forte Piano Recital Hall, 159 Route 4, Paramus, NJ
💵 Tickets: $50 per person in advance; $60 later
$20 DISCOUNTED tickets for students (at the door)
🥂 Refreshments: Wine and light bites will be served. Feel free to bring your favorite drink or snack to share!
Program
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
Overture to “Candide” -arr. by C. Harmon
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
Variations on a Shaker Melody “ Simple Gifts” from “Appalachian Spring” for piano four hands -Arr. by Bennett Lerner
Theodore Akimenko (1876-1945)
Six Pièces Ukrainiennes
Dumka (Meditation)
Do tanzu ( to the dance)
Pisnya ( Song)
Vessilla ( Wedding)
Listopad ( November)
Gretchaniki ( Folk Dance)
Maxim Shalygin ( b. 1985)
Drop by Drop (2022)
Louis Moreau Gottschalk ( 1829-1869)
Union -Concert Paraphrase on National Airs Op. 48
Arr. by D. Shelest
Intermission
Fanny Mendelssohn- Hensel (1805-1847)
November from Das Jahr ( The Year)
Sergei Bortkiewicz (1877-1952)
Lamentation op. 17 No.1
Philip Glass ( b. 1937)
Truman Sleeps
Victoria Poleva ( b. 1962)
How much longer? (2022)
Arvo Pärt (b.1935)
Für Alina
Solo set by Anna Shelest
George Gershwin(1898-1937) arr. by Henry Levine
Rhapsody in Blue
Anna & Dmitri Shelest
Praised by Fanfare for their “stirring performances of rare repertory,” the acclaimed piano team of Anna and Dmitri Shelest met as classmates at Ukraine’s prestigious Kharkiv Special Music School and began performing together after marrying in the United States.
Their inventive programs have taken them to major concert halls and international cultural and diplomatic events, prompting former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to praise their work as having “realized diplomacy through music.” The WholeNote described their playing as “raw pianism and as thrilling as four hand performance can get,” adding, “Be warned–it will knock you right off your seat!”
The Duo’s current season is highlighted by the opening concert of the Ukrainian Cultural Festival at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, featuring the American premiere of Oleg Bezborodko’s Concerto for Piano Four Hands & Orchestra; a recital as part of The Peggy Rockefeller Concert Series at Rockefeller University; and the release of their third album, including Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos with Neeme Järvi and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. Their other albums include Tutti, showcasing orchestral arrangements for piano four hands; Ukrainian Rhapsody, which marked their 2018 Carnegie Hall debut; and Donna Voce III, with works by Cécile Chaminade.
Anna also maintains an active solo career, while Dmitri has extensive experience as a recording engineer, having produced more than a dozen piano and orchestra recordings. Together, they have produced over 100 episodes for their YouTube channel, “Shelest at the Piano,” in which they explore a variety ofrepertoire, while sharing their passion for the piano.
Anna and Dmitri Shelest and their two sons make their home in New York City.
This is a rare opportunity to experience artists who regularly perform on the world’s great stages—right here in our community, and in support of Ukraine.
Why You Can’t Miss It
- World-Class Performers, Up Close — Experience internationally acclaimed musicians in an intimate chamber setting, with the opportunity to see and hear their artistry at close range.
- Celebrating Ukrainian Culture — Help us promote and preserve Ukrainian music and culture while standing strong for Ukraine and its sovereignty.
- Music with Real Impact — Every ticket supports Helping Hands for Ukraine’s life-saving humanitarian work, delivering medical aid and critical supplies where they are needed most.
- More Than a Concert — An evening to listen, connect, reflect, and stand together through music, resilience, and shared humanity.
💛 All proceeds will support humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine, bringing comfort and vital assistance where it is needed most.
Helping Hands for Ukraine directs 98% of donated funds to charitable programs, with just 2% covering unavoidable expenses such as credit card processing and essential fundraising costs. Every musician donates their time and talent, and the venue is provided free of charge—helping ensure that your support goes directly to those who need it most.
Together, let’s honor Ukraine’s resilience through the universal language of music.
