Introduction
In 2018, the YouTube channel “Life Goes On In Iran” filmed an unforgettable moment on a bustling Kazan street, and the video has since captured hearts worldwide—amassing over 5.6 million views by 2021.
Amid the excitement of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, an elderly woman sits at a public piano and begins to play Franz Liszt’s iconic Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. Composed between 1846 and 1853, this rhapsody is the second and most celebrated of Liszt’s nineteen Hungarian Rhapsodies. The multilingual crowd of tourists stops in its tracks, drawn in by her graceful touch and radiant smile.
Her fingers glide effortlessly over the keys, and by the final notes, her beaming grin says it all. The video’s uploader aptly notes, “I love her smile at the end of the video.” Viewers in the comments echo this sentiment, marvelling at the pure joy she radiates throughout her performance.
Background squeaks reveal the piano’s age and heavy use—typical for a street instrument exposed to the elements and countless passers-by. Yet, these imperfections only highlight her artistry. Undeterred by an imperfect instrument, she fills the air with elegance and soul. Below, enjoy another remarkable example of age-defying talent from a different seasoned pianist.
At the end of her set, the crowd bursts into applause, smiles broad and genuine. Some spectators even step forward to congratulate her in person before being gently guided back into the flow of pedestrian traffic.
For years, her identity was a mystery—until fans discovered she is Eleonora Arkadevya Breslav of Kazan. Though her exact age remains private, records show she graduated from music college in 1953, served as an accompanist there until 1958, and later joined Moscow’s prestigious Bolshoi Theatre as an accompanist.
Eleonora Breslav’s story reminds us that music transcends age and language. In her hands, every note becomes a celebration of life’s beauty, uniting strangers through the universal power of song.