Mstislav Rostropovich: Cellist, Teacher, Legend

Rostropovich demanded from his students the same exigent standards that he required from himself.

His open master classes, held in Class 19 of the Moscow Conservatoire, were packed with students and teachers - not only of cello but of all instrumental disciplines.

Usually seated at the piano, he conducted, cajoled and inspired his students to give of their best, and equally stimulated all his listeners.

Drawing from her own vivid reminiscences and those of ex-students, documents from the Moscow Conservatoire and extensive interviews with Rostropovich himself, Elizabeth Wilson's book sets out to define the philosophy behind his teaching, and to recapture the atmosphere of the Conservatoire and Moscow's musical life.