When most people picture a concert pianist, they imagine shining lights, grand concert halls, and audiences holding their breath at every note.
For professional pianist Mariana Koval, that world is real — but at home, her most faithful listeners have four paws, long whiskers, and a deep love for the piano.
A Pianist With an Unusual Audience
Inside her house, where ten cats roam freely, the sound of piano practice is an everyday routine.
Hours of scales and melodies drift through the rooms, and almost without fail, furry visitors wander into the practice space.
But one cat, more than any other, refuses to let the music play without him. His name is Zlatko — and for him, the piano isn’t just noise. It’s life, love, and comfort.
Unlike most cats who might dart away at the first strong chord, Zlatko runs toward the sound.
The moment his mom or his pianist dad, Dimcho Velichkov, sits down on the bench, Zlatko leaps to join. He doesn’t care if it’s Chopin, Liszt, or a quiet practice session.
What matters to him is being part of the performance.
Zlatko, the Musical Companion
Zlatko isn’t content to sit quietly in the corner.
He presses his paws against the ivory keys, sometimes in playful imitation, other times simply resting there while his parents’ hands move quickly around him.
On certain days, he perches comfortably on a lap, leaning forward as if determined not to miss a single note.
At times, music makes him so peaceful that he stretches across the piano itself, curls into the warmth, and lets the vibrations rock him to sleep.
To him, the piano isn’t just furniture — it’s a stage, a pillow, and his favorite place in the world.
What makes Zlatko extraordinary is not just his devotion to sound, but his loyalty to family. Music and companionship are blended into one experience for him.
Every note he listens to is tied to the closeness of sitting beside the people he loves most.
Other cats in the house occasionally show interest — Anya, Bambi, and Sasha sometimes wander in to investigate the sounds.
But none show Zlatko’s consistency. His devotion has turned him into the family’s unofficial duet partner, appearing in nearly every video Mariana shares with her followers.
While most animals would shy away from music’s volume or unpredictability, Zlatko seems to thrive in it.
His calmness during powerful crescendos and his delight in delicate melodies suggest that he has truly developed his own taste.
A Love Story Between Music and Family
It’s rare to find an animal who shows such passion for sound, but Zlatko is not an ordinary cat.
The hours he spends alongside his parents at the piano are not just about listening. They are about belonging.
Koval often jokes that Zlatko has a favorite composer — Chopin.
Whether it’s a waltz or a nocturne, Zlatko’s ears perk up and his body relaxes as though he knows these pieces were written just for him.
It’s a beautiful reminder that music, even when written centuries ago, still has the power to connect across species.
For Zlatko, the piano is not simply music. It’s the heartbeat of his home, the place where his family gathers, and the sound that means love.
He may never play a polished piece on his own, but the joy in his eyes when the first note rings out says everything.
It’s impossible to tell whether Zlatko is more drawn to the melody or the closeness of sitting beside his parents.
Perhaps the truth is simple: he loves both equally.
And for Mariana, that answer is enough. Her music was always meant to be shared, but she never expected her most loyal fan to be a fluffy, determined little cat who refuses to let the piano play without him.
In the end, Zlatko shows us something tender: music isn’t only about performance.
It’s about connection. It’s about creating moments where love and sound are woven together, leaving memories that linger long after the last note fades.