There are not many musicians who can take a well-known rock song and somehow make it fresh again, but that’s precisely what Karolina Protsenko does with Stairway to Heaven. Here is an original classical version of the legendary Led Zeppelin song with deep lyrics and sound, presented in the version of the violin most softly. Protsenko manages to evoke the same emotion and intensity of the original in every note while adding a uniqueness to the piece that also feels new and refreshing.
The game isn’t just about hitting the right notes — it’s about a narrative. As the song opens up, it starts with its sweet, whispery violin notes, building slowly to something more significant and more moving. Every bow stroke reveals Protsenko‘s passion, and the listener experiences every rise and fall of the music. It is even fuller with the guitar added, although the latter is blended really well with the violin’s exceptional characteristics.
Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin | Karolina Protsenko – Violin Cover
What makes this performance truly special is everything else it does: how it takes a rock anthem into a new world. With no words, the violin conveys the feelings that inspired the song — hope, longing, and beauty. It’s a reminder that music is a universal language and that it can touch hearts, regardless of who plays the instrument. What lifts Protsenko is her ability to take any of these songs, located in very different genres, and make them her own.
Just as Stairway to Heaven is heavy with emotion, Protsenko’s version of the song I’m Yours by Jason Mraz brings a different, fresh feel — one of joy and lightness. This peppy, bouncy tune converts very nicely to the violin, which fills the space with warmth and happiness. The performance is a dialogue between the instrument and the listener, at one with the carefree spirit of the song.
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz | Karolina Protsenko – Violin Cover
Protsenko’s greatest gift is her ability to commune with her audience through music. Whether she’s playing an emotional ballad or a cheerful one, she makes them personal by bringing out the heart of the song in a way that makes it feel personal. Her love for the violin and how she plays it differently with people’s favorite songs make her one of the most exciting musicians in the world today.
Keep up with Karolina Protsenko on her official social media accounts and streaming services. Her music is still loved all around the world, and while the violin is an instrument, it is also a voice that goes straight to the soul.