Rostropovich: The Genius of the Cello (BBC)

No-one has done more for the cello than Mstislav Rostropovich, or Slava as he was widely known. As well as being arguably the greatest cellist of the twentieth century, he expanded and enriched the cello repertoire by the sheer force of his artistry and his personality and composers lined up to write works for him.

In this film by John Bridcut, friends, family and former pupils explore the unique talents of this great Russian artist, and listen to and watch him making music. Contributors include his widow Galina Vishnevskaya and their daughters Olga and Elena; the eminent conductors Seiji Ozawa and Gennadi Rozhdestvensky; and cellists who attended his famous classes in Moscow, including Natalya Gutman, Mischa Maisky, Moray Welsh, Elizabeth Wilson and Karine Georgian.

The film traces the development of Rostropovich's international career amid the political tensions of the final years of the Soviet Union.

Bio:
Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich, KBE (Russian: Мстисла́в Леопо́льдович Ростропо́вич, Mstislav Leopol'dovič Rostropovič, March 27, 1927 -- April 27, 2007), known to close friends as Slava, was a Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor. He was married to the soprano Galina Vishnevskaya. He is widely considered to have been the greatest cellist of the second half of the 20th century, and one of the greatest of all time.

In addition to his outstanding interpretations and technique, he was well known for both inspiring and commissioning new works which enlarged the cello repertoire more than any cellist before or since. He gave the premieres of over 100 pieces, forming long-standing friendships and artistic partnerships with composers including Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev and especially Benjamin Britten.

Rostropovich was internationally recognized as a staunch advocate of human rights, and was awarded the 1974 Award of the International League of Human Rights.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Mstislav Rostropovich
• Cello
• Slava
• Biography
• BBC
• Classical
• Documentary

[dofhydro]

"We drink alcohol muuch better than violinists, or pianists" Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!

[k73f]

this is one of the most beautiful things I've seen! can't thank you enough for posting this! loved every second of it. Forever Rostropovich will live in everyones hearts!

[Derrymaine148]

2:54  _ _ *

[pictopoezia]

Multumesc Razvan Suma pentru recomandare!

[paulostroff99]

Stunning! TY for posting.

[paulostroff99]

One of a handful of cellists ever thought to be the best (cellist) ever.

[dadzbluz]

@RosesOfTimes; I thank you profusely for posting this wonderful video. I love the cello almost as much as the contrabass. Rostropovich has been a hero of mine for most of my life. He is a genius of incredible magnitude.A musician with a spirit of fire! His playing is simply amazing. Technically fantastic jaw droppingly precise virtuosity yet - hauntingly beautiful. Making his cello come alive and sing like no one else has ever done in my experience before or since. RIP SLAVA... Luv, BluzKat

[dadzbluz]

I played ContraBass in the 8th grade Marching Band when I was 15-years-old in 1969. Now THAT'S heavy! When Maestro saw the skateboard platform I built for my Bass to roll on; I was only allowed to play stage performances. I was offered tuba or trombone for marching. I played from ages 8-11, learning to read bass clef, I declined, thinking I was done with trombone when I learned electric bass at 12 & contrabass at 14.

Luv, BluzKat

>--w~^•_~^~w--> pssst I just bought a used trombone for $42!!!

[FloripanoBR]

What do you mean it's heavy? The ground is holding it for you!!!

[SaEdwinx]

@dofhydro Hahahaha. :)

[LucielStarz123]

@cuallito Please, are you insulting him? Apocalyptica did not even come close to scratch the tiniest surface of cello

[cuallito]

Too bad he passed away, he should have jammed with Apocalyptica.