Shostakovich & Kabalevsky: Cello Sonatas

Featuring

Steven Isserlis
Olli Mustonen
Dmitri Shostakovich
Sergei Prokofiev
Dimitri Kabalevsky

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Historical Context

The album highlights a strong bond between Russian artists and their people, reflected in the music from both the 19th century and the Soviet era, despite political pressures to create 'music for the people'.

Performer Biography

Olli Mustonen, the pianist on this recording, is a Finnish musician who uniquely combines the roles of composer, pianist, and conductor.

Performer Biography

Pianist Olli Mustonen and cellist Steven Isserlis have performed as a duo for over thirty years.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The three Russian composers on this album—Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Kabalevsky—all shared a common thread of narrative in their music, often rooted in storytelling and folk traditions.

Performer Biography

Steven Isserlis, the cellist on this recording, plays the 'Marquis de Corberon' Stradivarius of 1726, on loan from the Royal Academy of Music.

Composer Biography

All three composers on this album—Dmitri Shostakovich, Serge Prokofiev, and Dmitri Kabalevsky—wrote successful film music, with Shostakovich and Kabalevsky having worked as pianists for silent movies in their youth.