The YouTube channel “Life Goes On In Iran” gained widespread attention in 2018 with a video recorded during their visit to Russia, which has since gone viral with over 5.6 million views as of 2021.

The video captures a remarkable moment during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Kazan, featuring an older woman playing a street piano. The diverse crowd, filled with tourists from various nationalities, witnesses her effortlessly playing Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No.2. Liszt composed 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies between 1846 and 1853, and this particular piece stands out as one of his most renowned compositions.

Despite the piano’s visibly worn condition, likely a result of its use by passersby as a street piano, the woman plays with undeniable skill and a radiant smile. The YouTube channel, Life Goes On In Iran, noted her infectious joy, with many commenters expressing admiration for her cheerful demeanor throughout the entire performance.

The background of the video includes occasional squeaking sounds, drawing attention to the aged state of the piano. However, the woman’s unwavering talent and poise in the face of such challenges make her performance all the more impressive. The audience appreciates her artistry, and at the end of the piece, the gathered crowd applauds and approaches her to convey their congratulations. Another lady then escorts her away from the piano back to the street.

The mystery woman, initially unidentified, was later revealed to be Eleonora Arkadevya Breslav from Kazan, Russia. Although her exact age is unknown, Breslav graduated from music college in 1953 and worked as an accompanist at her college until 1958. Later, she contributed her musical talents at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, one of the world’s premier opera and ballet houses.

Breslav’s story serves as a testament to the timeless nature of music. Even in her later years, she exemplifies the universal language of music, transcending linguistic barriers and allowing people from all walks of life to celebrate its power.