Britten: Complete Music for Cello Solo and Cello and Piano

“Your music is truly among the most outstanding work of the twentieth century. And for me it is a source of great and strong impressions. Write as much as you can.” (Shostakovich to Britten, 1963)

This set represents the first-ever complete collection of Benjamin Britten's music for unaccompanied cello and cello with piano. Many of these works were composed for the legendary Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Britten and Rostropovich were close friends and regularly gave recitals together in both Britain and Russia. It is perhaps because of this connection with Rostropovich that Britten's cello works in particular demonstrate his enduring affinity with Russian culture, leading such a renowned composer as Shostakovich to repeatedly express his admiration for Britten's music.