Maisky Mikhail (1948)

MAISKY Mikhail (born 1948, Riga), cellist. Graduated from the music school at the Leningrad Conservatoire in the cello class of E. Fishman (1907–88). In 1966, took sixth place at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, after which he received an invitation from M. Rostropovich and entered his class at the Moscow Conservatoire. After his sister left for Israel in 1969, Maisky began to suffer persecution from the authorities and, on a fabricated charge, was convicted in 1970 of speculation, spending over a year doing forced labour in Dzerzhinsk, Gorky Oblast. In 1972, he moved to Israel. In 1973, took second place (first was not awarded) at the international Cassadó competition in Florence. In 1973, at the Israel Festival, he was heard by P. Casals, who gave him several lessons. In 1974, on the recommendation of I. Stern, Maisky became a fellow of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation and went to the USA, where he took part in R. Serkin's chamber festival, then studied for four months under G. Piatigorsky, after which he began active concert activity (solo concerts around the world, including London, Paris, Berlin, New York, Vienna, Amsterdam, Tokyo). Worked with L. Bernstein, making a number of recordings with him. Maisky's partners include pianists M. Argerich and R. Lupu, violinists G. Kremer (b. 1947) and M. Vengerov (b. 1975), violist and conductor Y. Bashmet, conductors Z. Mehta and G. Sinopoli, pianists and conductors V. Ashkenazy and D. Barenboim.

Maisky's performing style is distinguished by markedly romantic interpretation. He performs music of various eras: baroque, classicism, 20th-century works (especially compositions by S. Prokofiev and D. Shostakovich). Maisky has recorded all of J.S. Bach's solo cello suites, sonatas by F. Schubert, C. Franck, C. Debussy, J. Brahms's Double Concerto for violin and cello, R. Schumann's Cello Concerto, two cello concertos by F.J. Haydn and other works. His interpretation of E. Bloch's Jewish rhapsody “Schelomo” with L. Bernstein and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is considered one of the best performances of this work. Maisky regularly performs in Israel with solo concerts, with Israeli orchestras and chamber ensembles.

Lina Maisky (Jacobson; b. 1938), Maisky's sister, pianist, accompanist. In Israel from 1969. Teaches, performs in chamber ensembles, including with her brother.

Valery Maisky (1942–1981), Maisky's brother, harpsichordist, organist, musicologist. Graduated from the Leningrad Conservatoire as harpsichordist and organist in the class of I. Braudo (1896–1970) and as a music theorist. Doctor of Art History. Performed in the Soviet Union as organist and harpsichordist. From 1973, lived in Israel. Did much to popularise early music in Israel. Taught musicology at Bar-Ilan University; performed solo and chamber programmes (including with his brother). Gave organ concerts; organised and led a cycle of lecture-concerts devoted to the music of Bach at the “Beit Immanuel” church in Jaffa, the proceeds from which funded the building's renovation and a new organ, making it Israel's main organ concert hall. Recorded two albums of organ music. Died in a car accident.

KEE vol. Supplement 3, col. 298–299