Mischa Maisky | A Man and his Cello

15 SEPT 2024: Star cellist Mischa Maisky celebrates his 50th stage anniversary together with musician friends, family, and Tchaikovsky.

"After 50 years on stage, there are still many challenges, dreams, and ambitions for the next 50 years", says Mischa Maisky with a twinkle in his eye. The 75-year-old star cellist, alongside the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen under the baton of Paavo Järvi, shows that he can still play like a "hot-blooded youngster".

For Mischa Maisky, the cello is not a means to demonstrate technical ability. Perfection is not at the center of his focus; rather, he is concerned with emotions at the moment of interpretation, which he wants to convey to his audience as unfiltered as possible. With his long-time friend, pianist Martha Argerich, and violinist Janine Jansen in the concert in Kiel, this emotional connection with the audience is intensely felt. And even though Mischa Maisky still has many wishes and dreams for the future, he has already fulfilled one heart's desire: together with his children Sascha (violin) and Lily (piano), he goes on concert tours as a family trio.

Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations showcase Maisky's virtuosity, while his Nocturne and the Lensky Aria Kuda, Kuda highlight his expressive playing. Max Bruch's Kol Nidrei evokes memories of his Ukrainian-Jewish roots and training under masters Rostropovich and Piatigorsky. Despite life's disruptions – losing his father at 18, his sister's emigration, and spending 2 years in a labor camp – Maisky developed a special sensitivity in his playing, grateful for his "comprehensive life experience."

Duration 43 min / 52 min
Original title Mischa Maisky spielt Tschaikowsky
Author Beatrix Conrad, Lily Küntzle
Producer Claus Wischmann
Co-Producer Claudia Cellarius
Production Company NDR/Arte, sounding images
Soloist Mischa Maisky
Conductor Paavo Järvi
Orchestra / Band Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen