Mstislav Rostropovich
(1927-2007), CellistSitter in 7 portraits
The virtuoso cellist Rostropovich was taught by Shostakovich from 1943. He met Britten in 1960, who inspired him to write Sonata in C for cello and piano (1961), Cello Symphony (1963) and three Suites for Cello (1964-71). His own technique inspired Shostakovich, Britten and Prokoviev to compose new work, enlarging the classical cello repertoire. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Rostropovich's advocation of human rights brought him into conflict with the Soviet Union authorities. In 1974 he was exiled as a dissident and settled in America with his wife, Opera Soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, and daughters. He returned as communism collapsed, performing Bach cello suites throughout the night as the Berlin Wall came down.
by Milein Cosman
etching, circa 1980
NPG 7102
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Benjamin Britten with Peter Pears, Galina Vishnevskaya, Mstislav Rostropovich and Marion Stein
by E.I. Iavno
bromide print, 1963
NPG x15245
Benjamin Britten and other musicians
by E.I. Iavno
bromide print, March 1963
NPG x15246
Mstislav Rostropovich; Benjamin Britten
possibly by Maria Donata ('Marion') (née Stein), Countess of Harewood (later Mrs Jeremy Thorpe)
snapshot print, June 1964
NPG x15244
Mstislav Rostropovich; Benjamin Britten
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, 1964
NPG x15247
Mstislav Rostropovich; Peter Pears; Benjamin Britten
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, 1965
NPG x15252
by East Anglian Daily Times
bromide print, 7 December 1976
NPG x15268
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