Dmitry Sitkovetsky: Keeping the Flame

Dmitry Sitkovetsky: Keeping the Flame

Soviet Russia. The 1970s. A young violinist from a renowned musical family flees his homeland in search of freedom. This is the story of Dmitry Sitkovetsky — a family memoir, a portrait of the Russian intelligentsia, and a journey through music and exile.

Episodes

November 21, 2025 1 min

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 podca...

Mark as Played

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.  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsitkovetsky/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dmitrysitkovetsky
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dsitkovetsky
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmitrysitkovetsky/
Website: https://www.dmitrysitkov...

Mark as Played
November 25, 2025 18 mins

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


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsitkovetsky/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dmitrysitkovetsky
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dsitkovetsky
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmitrysitkovetsky/
Website: https://www.dmitrysitkovetsky.com

This episode w...

Mark as Played
December 2, 2025 21 mins

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?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsitkovetsky/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dmitrysitkovetsky
Thre...

Mark as Played
December 9, 2025 24 mins

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.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsitkovetsky/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dmitrysitkovetsky
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dsitkove...

Mark as Played
December 16, 2025 18 mins

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/ 


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsitkovetsky/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dmitrysitkovetsky
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dsitkovetsky
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmitrysitkovetsky/
Website: https://www.dmitrysitk...

Mark as Played
December 23, 2025 13 mins

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.


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsitkovetsky/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dmitrysitkovetsky
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dsitkovetsky
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmitrysitkovetsky/
Website: https:...

Mark as Played
December 30, 2025 22 mins

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.


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsitkovetsky/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dmitrysitkovetsky
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dsitkovetsky
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmitrysitkovetsky/
Website: https://www.dmitrysitkovetsky.com

This epis...

Mark as Played
January 6, 2026 20 mins

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.


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsitkovetsky/
YouTube: http...

Mark as Played
January 13, 2026 15 mins

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.


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsitkovetsky/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dmitrysitkovetsky
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dsitkovetsky
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmitrysitkovetsky/
Website: https://w...

Mark as Played
January 20, 2026 17 mins

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.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dsitkovetsky/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dmitrysitkovetsky
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@dsitkovetsky
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmitrysitkovetsky/
Website: https://www.dmitrysitkovetsky.com

This epi...

Mark as Played

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