Shostakovich The Works for Cello

Shostakovich composed both his Cello Concertos for Mstislav Rostropovich, whose artistry he greatly admired, and they are among his most personal works. Their critical reception was however very different - the bravura First Concerto was almost immediately recognized internationally as a masterpiece, whereas the reception of the Second Concerto, more elusive in its atmosphere and significance, was considerably more muted. Since its first appearance, however, it has slowly but steadily established itself as an equal classic of the repertoire.