Mischa Maisky is a distinguished cellist renowned for his deep expressivity and rich interpretations across a wide repertoire. Born on January 10, 1948, in Riga, Latvia, into a Jewish family, his early encounters with music set the course for what would become a luminous career in classical performance. He studied at the Leningrad Conservatory under Mstislav Rostropovich and later at the Moscow Conservatory, but his journey was not without hardship; during the 1970s his embrace of Jewish culture led to a stint in a labor camp and subsequent emigration to Israel.

Maisky's talents have been celebrated worldwide, leading to collaborations with eminent conductors and orchestras, as well as numerous recordings that showcase his versatility and command over both classic and contemporary cello works. His discography reflects a devotion to the core cello literature while also exploring thematic concepts and composers' oeuvres in depth. Albums like "Mendelssohn on Cello" and "Cello Works: Mischa Maisky. Mendelssohn & Schubert" highlight his affinity for Romantic works, whereas "20th Century Classics" and "The Verbier Festival Celebrates Rodion Shchedrin At Ninety (Live)" exhibit his prowess in modern compositions. Maisky's approach to the cello is intimate and personal, often bringing fresh nuances to well-trodden pieces as seen in his interpretation of "Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988," traditionally a keyboard work. Through decades of performances and recordings, Mischa Maisky has cemented his status as one of the preeminent cellists of his time, infusing his music with both heartrending emotion and impeccable technical skill.

Genres

Classical Cello

Classical Performance

Related Artists

Yo-Yo Ma

Mstislav Rostropovich

Jacqueline du Pré

Steven Isserlis

Alisa Weilerstein

Sol Gabetta

David Geringas

Lynn Harrell

Dmitri Shostakovich

Heinrich Schiff

Gautier Capuçon

Vladimir Ashkenazy

Latest Release

Mischa Maisky in Verbier (Live)

Mischa Maisky

Album - 22 Tracks - Released July 19, 2024