For those not in the classical know, Mischa Maisky is a Soviet-born Israeli cellist and the younger brother of organist, harpsichordist and musicologist Valery Maisky (1942–1981).

He began studies in Riga and Leningrad and later with Mstislav Rostropovich at the Moscow Conservatory whilst pursuing a concert career throughout the Soviet Union. In 1966 he won 6th Prize at the Moscow International Tchaikovsky Competition.

While his debut, at 17, with the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra earned him the nickname "Rostropovich of the future", it was in 1966, as prize-winner of the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition, that he really started getting noticed.

He entered the famous Moscow Conservatory to study with Rostropovich and was quickly taken under the great musician's wing.

In his performing and recording career, Maisky has worked in long-standing partnerships with artists such as the pianists Martha Argerich, khatia Buniatishvili, Radu Lupu, Nelson Freire, Peter Serkin, Evgeny Kissin, Lang Lang and Sergio Tiempo, the violinists Gidon Kremer, Itzhak Perlman, Vadim Repin, Maxim Vengerov, Joshua Bell, Julian Rachlin and Janine Jansen, and the conductors Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Carlo Maria Giulini, Lorin Maazel, Riccardo Muti, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Yuri Temirkanov, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Barenboim, James Levine, Charles Dutoit, Mariss Jansons, Valery Gergiev and Gustavo Dudamel. Maisky's friendship with Argerich - of over 40 years - has led to many performances and recordings together, such as the world premiere of Shchedrin’s double concerto Romantic Offering in 2011 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

As a Deutsche Grammophon artist for more than 30 years, he has made over 50 recordings, including many with such orchestras as the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

His recordings have enjoyed world-wide critical acclaim and have been awarded five times the prestigious Record Academy Prize in Tokyo, three times Echo Deutscher Schallplattenpreis, Grand Prix du Disque in Paris and Diapason d’Or of the Year as well as the coveted Grammy nominations.

Lily Maisky is a classical pianist and also, of course, the daughter of Mischa Maisky. Maisky began playing the piano at the age of four with Lyl Tiempo and studied with Hagit Kerbel, Olga Mogilevsky, Valeria Szervansky, Ilana Davids and Alan Weiss.

She was also a pupil at the “Purcell School of Music” between 2001 and 2004, where she also studied jazz piano. Also on this family recording is his son, Sascha Maisky. Born in Brussels on the 11th of May 1989, Sascha began his violinistic studies at the age of three.

Marking the 70th birthday of Misha Maisky, comes a very personal album recorded with his children, pianist Lily and violinist Sascha, with collaborations with Martha Argerich, Janine Jansen and Julian Rachlin.

All repertoire here on Adagietto is newly recorded and encompasses relaxing and inspiring popular melodies perfect for streaming in the relaxing/peaceful classics space.

Gustav Mahler (1860 - 1911)
Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor
Arr. for Cello and Harp by Mischa Maisky
Pt. 3
1. 4. Adagietto (10:19)
Mischa Maisky, Sophie Hallynck

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
Concerto in D Minor, BWV 974
Arr. for Cello and Piano by Mischa Maisky
2. 2. Adagio (4:15) Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056
3. 2. Largo (Arr. for Cello and Piano by Sam Franco) (4:14)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Die Zauberflöte, K. 620
Arr. for Cello and Piano by Mischa Maisky
Act 2
4. "Ach ich fühl's, es ist entschwunden" (4:25)

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835 - 1921)
Samson et Dalila, Op. 47, R. 288
Arr. for Cello and Piano by George Trinkaus
Act 2
5. "Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix" (6:40)

Jules Massenet (1842 - 1912)
Thaïs
Arr. for Violin and Piano by Martin Marsick
Act 2
6. Méditation (5:30)

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)
The Seasons, Op. 37a, TH 135
7. 10. October (Autumn Song) (Arr. for Cello and Piano by Joachim Stutschewsky and Isco Thaler) (5:42)

6 Pieces, Op. 51, TH 143
8. 6. Valse sentimentale (Arr. for Cello and Piano by Viktor Kubatsky) (2:56)

Alexander Scriabin (1872 - 1915)
12 Etudes For Piano, Op. 8
9. 11. Etude in B Flat Minor (Arr. for Cello and Piano by Gregor Piatigorsky) (4:15)
10. Romance (Arr. for Cello and Piano by Steven Isserlis) (2:38)

Edvard Grieg (1843 - 1907)
Peer Gynt, Op. 23
Arr. for Cello and Piano by Georg Goltermann
Act 3
11. Solveig's Song (5:43)
Mischa Maisky, Lily Maisky

Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)
12. Notturno in E Flat Major, Op. 148, D. 897 (9:45)
Sascha Maisky, Mischa Maisky, Lily Maisky

Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)
Piano Quartet in E Flat Major, Op. 47
13. 3. Andante cantabile (7:47)

Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)
Piano Quartet No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 60
14. 3. Andante (9:45)
Janine Jansen, Julian Rachlin, Mischa Maisky, Martha Argerich

Now, before we delve into just how impressive, how captivating, how vibrant this new recording is from the Maisky's, I'll give you a wee history lesson on 'Symphony No. 5' by Gustav Mahler.

The symphony was composed in 1901 and 1902, mostly during the summer months at Mahler's holiday cottage at Maiernigg. Among its most distinctive features are the trumpet solo that opens the work with a rhythmic motive similar to the opening of Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, the horn solos in the third movement and the frequently performed Adagietto.

The musical canvas and emotional scope of the work, which lasts over an hour, are huge. The symphony is sometimes described as being in the key of C♯ minor since the first movement is in this key (the finale, however, is in D major).

Mahler objected to the label: "From the order of the movements (where the usual first movement now comes second) it is difficult to speak of a key for the 'whole Symphony', and to avoid misunderstandings the key should best be omitted."

And so, here on this very personal album, which is actually dedicated to Mischa’s young daughter Mila, we find all new recordings with his son and daughter.

Containing what can only be described as some rather relaxing and inspiring popular melodies from the Bach/Marcello Adagio to Grieg’s “Solveig’s Song”, and from Massenet’s “Méditation” to Tchaikovsky’s “Valse sentimentale,” this, as aforementioned, frequently performed Adagietto has been brought to life in some incredible styling here.

For not only does Maisky present a slow-movement album of all-time favorites here, but he kicks things off with this simply stunning Adagietto. Furthermore, it should also be noted that he plays all the parts, save for the harp.

That's right folks, this multi-track arrangement of Mahler’s Adagietto (from his 5th Symphony) is one of the most incredible ways to begin a classical album that I have come across in the past decade; or more. It is, without a shadow of a doubt, a truly captivating all-cello version of this classic at its very finest.

Three bonus live recordings with Martha Argerich, Janine Jansen, Julian Rachlin, and Sascha Maisky are also included and the beautiful 16 page booklet contains liner notes by Belgian journalist Camille de Rijk; based on a new interview with Maisky.

'Adagietto' [CD] Official Purchase Link