Dmitry Sitkovetsky: Keeping the Flame

Trailer: Keeping the Flame

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Dmitry Sitkovetsky is a Soviet-born violinist, transcriber, and conductor. In this series, he revisits his journey from a privileged musical upbringing within an oppressive society to the new life he forged as an émigré. Through his reflections — and the music that shaped him — his story unfolds against the backdrop of the cultural and political currents of the late 20th century.

https://www.dmitrysitkovetsky.com/

This podcast was produced by Libo/Libo: https://libolibo.me/

Chapter I: The Son Of

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Dmitry revisits his childhood – the first sounds of music in his mother’s womb, the early loss of his father and an audition with a prominent violin teacher.

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Website: https://www.dmitrysitkovetsky.com

This episode was produced by Libo/Libo: https://libolibo.me/

Chapter II: The Great Russian Violin School

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0500

This chapter takes a behind-the-scenes look at a system that produced countless talents. Dmitry recalls his experiences with Soviet musical training.

This episode was produced by Libo/Libo: https://libolibo.me/

Chapter III: Beating the Soviet System

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Dmitry paints a portrait of a Brezhnev-era child’s double life: acting the part of model pioneer in front of teachers and rebelling the moment authority’s back turned — seeking out forbidden writers, music, and ideas.

This episode asks: How do you navigate a society where authority controls every facet of life?

Episode cover: a fragment of a photograph from the Central Music School in Moscow, 1961–1972.

This episode was produced by Libo/Libo: https://libolibo.me/

Chapter IV: The Guru

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

A determined search for alternative lifestyles and opinions in the Soviet Union led the almost-18-year-old Dima to meet a man who presented himself as a spiritual guru, and became a kind of father figure to him. What followed was an 8-year-long, deeply twisted relationship.

This episode was produced by Libo/Libo: https://libolibo.me/

Chapter V: The Escape

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

A first-hand account of escaping Soviet Russia — complete with diversion, persuasion, and a whole lot of chutzpah.

This episode was produced by Libo/Libo: https://libolibo.me/

Chapter VI: The First Ten Days in New York

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Dmitry arrives at JFK International Airport and is immediately swept up in the whirlwind of artistic New York: Juilliard, auditions, and scraping together enough money to survive in the city.

This episode was produced by Libo/Libo: https://libolibo.me/

Chapter VII: Becoming a Westerner

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

Dmitry remembers his firsts — first car, first movie, first concert. This episode is a reflection on the events that reshaped one refugee’s Soviet mindset.

This episode was produced by Libo/Libo: https://libolibo.me/

Chapter VIII: Two Brothers

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Once there were two cousins. They were like salt and pepper. One had dark hair; the other was blond. One practiced the violin, while the other preferred the guitar. One left the country and started from scratch in the West; the other stayed in the USSR and pioneered Soviet art rock. They hadn’t spoken to each other in years, until they finally reunited.

This episode was produced by Libo/Libo: https://libolibo.me/

Chapter IX: Bach

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

Dmitry explores the structure and content of this extraordinary work. Bonus story: how he spent the best two months of his musical life in the virtual company of Glenn Gould and J.S. Bach.

This episode was produced by Libo/Libo: https://libolibo.me/

Chapter X: The Father Of

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0500

In the final chapter of the season, Dmitry’s life comes full circle: he revisits Russia and becomes a father. Plus, a look at mistakes made and lessons learned.

This episode was produced by Libo/Libo: https://libolibo.me/

Chapter XI: The Violin

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

What happens when an instrument built to create art becomes a financial asset?

In this chapter, Dmitry talks about the violin — starting with the craft and artistry that goes into making each instrument to the business of buying, selling, and owning one. He tells the story of his Amati, Guarnerii and Stradivari, and why the relationship between musicians and their instruments is actually much more than simply making music.

Keeping the Flame: Season 2 is Dmitry’s portrait of a musician’s life, drawn from more than six decades of experience.

Chapter XII: The Rehearsals

Dmitry Sitkovetsky — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:00:00 -0400

What does it really take to be ready for the stage?

In this chapter, Dmitry takes us inside the rehearsal room — where musicians repeat, refine, argue, listen, and repeat again. He explains why rehearsing is never simply about getting the notes right, and why the freedom you feel on stage begins long before the performance.

And then there’s Dmitry’s biggest enemy: the giant clock on the wall.

Keeping the Flame: Season 2 is Dmitry’s portrait of the profession, drawn from more than seven decades of living it.