Mstislav Rostropovich

Mstislav Rostropovich was a Russian cellist and conductor, one of the most influential cello performers of the 20th century. His repertory ranged from Bach suites to major works written for him by composers such as Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Britten, and Lutosławski. Rostropovich’s sound, technique, and advocacy greatly expanded the modern cello repertoire.