Mischa Maisky

Mischa Maisky (born 10 January 1948) is a Soviet-born Israeli cellist distinguished by his studies with both Mstislav Rostropovich and Gregor Piatigorsky, the only cellist to achieve this. Born in Riga, Latvia, he began musical training at local institutions before advancing to the Leningrad and Moscow Conservatories, where he debuted with the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra in 1965 and earned third prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1966. Following an 18-month imprisonment in the Soviet Union in 1970 for criticizing authorities, Maisky emigrated, eventually settling in Israel and launching an international career with debuts in major venues like Carnegie Hall in 1973 and London in 1976.

Maisky's recordings, primarily with Deutsche Grammophon since 1982 under an exclusive contract from 1985, encompass seminal works such as Bach's Six Suites for Solo Cello (recorded three times) and concertos by Dvořák and Schumann, earning critical acclaim including five Record Academy Prizes from Tokyo, three Echo Klassik awards, and multiple Grammy nominations. He has collaborated with leading conductors like Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, and Gustavo Dudamel, as well as instrumentalists including Martha Argerich and Itzhak Perlman, performing in prestigious halls worldwide. Recent honors include the 2018 Istanbul Music Festival Lifetime Achievement Award and honorary fellowships from institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music. Maisky plays an 18th-century Montagnana cello and regards himself as a citizen of the world, with family ties to music through his daughters, pianists Lily and Sarah Maisky.

Mischa Maisky was born on January 10, 1948, in Riga, Latvia, which was then part of the Soviet Union, into a Jewish family of Ukrainian heritage. His father, an engineer, had been relocated from Russia to Latvia for work following World War II, and music held a prominent place in the household. As the younger brother of Valery Maisky, an organist, harpsichordist, and musicologist born in 1942, Mischa grew up in an environment where musical pursuits were encouraged from an early age.