Rostropovich The Art of The Cello

Mstislav Rostropovich did more for the advancement of the cello than probably any other artist since Pablo Casals. Even after his sad passing in 2007 at the age of 80, is musical influence is felt not only in the cello community, but among orchestral musicians as well. This Deutsche Grammophon DVD is among the many tributes to Rostropovich that have surfaced over the short time since his passing. It features the Schumann Concerto and Bloch's Schelomo with Leonard Bernstein and the Orchestre National de France and Strauss' Don Quixote with Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. All of these performances are given their first DVD release here. Schumann and Bloch are given intense, riveting performances by Rostropovich and orchestra alike. Any other cellist who played with as much force and aggression would be accused of overplaying, but with Rostropovich the intensity and conviction of his playing are what make the entire performance.

These two titans play like men possessed with a rare spiritual fire that lifts the music to the highest levels of art. Rostropovich plays like a madman - he looks and sounds like a man in the throws of ecstatic union with the gods of music. At times literally attacking his instrument, at times making love to it - his youth and passion are raw and exposed. Brilliant! They are both huge risk takers with their music making here - exposing their souls in this performance. I am in awe of their work.

More from the unique Leningrad/ Soviet Series featuring here top Russian cello stars