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Mstislav Rostropovich

Outspoken Russian Diva And Muse Galina Vishnevskaya Dies At 86

Soprano Galina Vishnevskaya was once caleld the "Russian Maria Callas" for her intense interpretations. Capitol Records, Inc, courtesy of EMI Classics hide caption

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Capitol Records, Inc, courtesy of EMI Classics

Deceptive Cadence

Outspoken Russian Diva And Muse Galina Vishnevskaya Dies At 86

The soprano, whose life unfolded with more tragic and triumphant twists and turns than any opera plot was celebrated for her electrifying performances and her dissident political views.

From Schubert To Hendrix: Guest DJ Matt Haimovitz

From coffeehouses to punk clubs, Matt Haimovitz has played his cello in some surprising places. Steph Mackinnon hide caption

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Steph Mackinnon

Deceptive Cadence

From Schubert To Hendrix: Guest DJ Matt Haimovitz

Cellist Matt Haimovitz was raised on a strict diet of classical music. Somewhere along the way his tastes broadened considerably. Hear an eclectic mix of music — from Nina Simone to Mstislav Rostropovich — as the adventurous cellist spins his favorites in the studio.

From Schubert To Hendrix: Guest DJ Matt Haimovitz

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First Loves: Cellist Zuill Bailey's Front Row Revelation

Zuill Bailey sneaked into a front row seat -- and got the concert of his young life. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Deceptive Cadence

First Loves: Cellist Zuill Bailey's Front Row Revelation

The cellist recalls how sneaking into a first-row seat at a concert by Mstislav Rostropovich forever changed his view of music's role in our lives.

Dvorak: Cello Concerto, excerpt (Mstislav Rostropovich/Berlin Philharmonic)

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Schubert Most Sublime: The String Quintet In C

An engraving of Franz Schubert, a year before he wrote his famed String Quintet in C. Getty / Hulton Archive hide caption

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Getty / Hulton Archive

The NPR Classical 50

Schubert Most Sublime: The String Quintet In C

In this bittersweet music, Schubert added an extra cello to the standard string quartet, and in the process created a completely new sound for a small string ensemble. Hear a performance that deeply probes Schubert's personal brand of lyrical melancholy.

Ted Libbey And Fred Child Recommend Schubert's String Quintet In C

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Master Cellist Plays Dvorak's Classic Concerto
Courtesy of the artist

The NPR Classical 50

Master Cellist Plays Dvorak's Classic Concerto

Mstislav Rostropovich defined for his era the art and technique of playing the cello. His performance of Dvorak's stirring Cello Concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic remains one of classical music's most lauded recordings.

Ted Libbey And Fred Child Recommend Dvorak's Cello Concerto

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Music Interviews

Yo Yo Ma Reflects on Rostropovich

The cellist Yo Yo Ma looks back at the life of master cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, who died Friday at 80 at a Moscow hospital. Ma credits Rostopovich for invigorating the cello repertoire, both as a performer and through dozens of new works commissioned from great composers.

Yo Yo Ma Reflects on Rostropovich

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Music Interviews

A Musician Recalls Playing Under Rostropovich

Mstislav Rostropovich left his mark both on the world of classical music and the musicians he played with. Music commentator Miles Hoffman played under Rostropovich for seven years. He tells Steve Inskeep that the maestro's hands were notable for more than their ability to work the cello.

A Musician Recalls Playing Under Rostropovich

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Music Interviews

Master Cellist, Conductor Rostropovich Dies at 80

Russian cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich, who courageously fought for the rights of Soviet-era dissidents and later triumphantly played Bach suites below the crumbling Berlin Wall, died Friday in Moscow. He was 80.

Master Cellist, Conductor Rostropovich Dies at 80

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