Mstislav Rostropovich; Benjamin Britten
1 portrait of Benjamin Britten
© reserved; collection National Portrait Gallery, London
Share this
Mstislav Rostropovich; Benjamin Britten
possibly by Maria Donata ('Marion') (née Stein), Countess of Harewood (later Mrs Jeremy Thorpe)
snapshot print, June 1964
4 5/8 in. x 3 1/8 in. (117 mm x 79 mm) image size
Given by the Britten estate, 1981
Photographs Collection
NPG x15244
Sittersback to top
- (Edward) Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten (1913-1976), Composer. Sitter in 120 portraits, Artist or producer of 5 portraits.
- Mstislav Rostropovich (1927-2007), Cellist. Sitter in 7 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Maria Donata ('Marion') (née Stein), Countess of Harewood (later Mrs Jeremy Thorpe) (1926-2014), Concert pianist and joint founder of Leeds International Piano Competition; former wife of 7th Earl of Harewood, and later wife of Jeremy Thorpe. Artist or producer associated with 1 portrait, Sitter in 22 portraits.
This portraitback to top
The composer Benjamin Britten and the Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich had an exceptional musical affinity but, initially, could not speak each other’s language. They instead conversed in a broken German, which they called ‘Aldeburgh Deutsch’, after the Suffolk town where Britten lived. Britten wrote five pieces for Rostropovich and they regularly performed together. This informal photograph was probably taken by the pianist Marion Stein (at the time, Countess of Harewood) in Whitehaven, Cumbria, prior to a recital at the nearby Rosehill Theatre on 25 June 1964.
Events of 1964back to top
Current affairs
Harold Wilson narrowly wins the general election for the Labour Party, the first of his four election victories.Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans become the last people to be executed in the United Kingdom before capital punishment was abolished in 1965.
The Sun newspaper replaces the Daily Herald.
Art and science
Top of the Pops begins its reign as the longest running television music show. The first broadcast was presented by Jimmy Savile and included the Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, The Hollies and The Beatles, who were the show's first number 1 with I Want to Hold Your Hand.International
The Civil Rights Act is passed in the USA, outlawing discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex or national origin. The Act abolished the 'Jim Crow Laws' in the Southern States, making forced segregation illegal.After spending two years in prison Nelson Mandela is sentenced to Life in Prison for the crimes of sabotage and crimes equivalent to treason against the Republic of South Africa.
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.
