Mischa Maisky has the distinction of being the only cellist in the world to have studied with both Mstislav Rostropovich and Gregor Piatigorsky. Rostropovich has lauded Mischa Maisky as "...one of the most outstanding talents of the younger generation of cellists. His playing combines poetry and exquisite delicacy with great temperament and brilliant technique."

Born in Latvia, educated in Russia, after his repatriation to Israel, Mischa Maisky has been enthusiastically received in London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, New York and Tokyo, along with the rest of the major music centres.

He considers himself as a citizen of the world: “I’m playing an Italian cello, with French and German bows, Austrian and German strings, my daughter was born in France, my oldest son in Belgium, the middle one in Italy and the youngest one in Switzerland, I’m driving a Japanese car, wear a Swiss watch, an Indian necklace and I feel at home everywhere where people appreciate and enjoy classical music.”

As an exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist, during the last 25 years he has made well over 30 recordings with such orchestras as Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony, Israel Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, Orpheus, Chamber Orchestra of Europe and others.

One of the highlights of his career was the year 2000 - it was mainly devoted to a worldwide Bach tour which included over 100 concerts! In order to express his deep admiration for this great composer, Mischa Maisky has recorded Bach's solo suites for the third time.

His recordings have enjoyed worldwide 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.

Truly a world-class musician and regular guest at most major International Festivals, he has collaborated with such conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Carlo Maria Giulini, Lorin Maazel, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Barenboim, James Levine, Charles Dutoit, Mariss Jansons, Valery Gergiev and Gustavo Dudamel and his partnerships have included artists as Martha Argerich, Radu Lupu, Nelson Freire, Evgeny Kissin, Lang Lang, Peter Serkin, Gidon Kremer, Yuri Bashmet, Vadim Repin, Maxim Vengerov, Joshua Bell, Julian Rachlin and Janine Jansen to name just a few.

Latest recording:

As of December 2010

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Dvorak and Strauss / Deutsche Grammophon
“Both composers require a Romantic, lyrical delivery, a style of playing that is the absolute domain of Mischa Maisky.”
Strad, May 2009

“Maisky’s performance of these works could hardly be bettered.”
BBC Music Magazine, March 2009

Various: Song of the Cello / Deutsche Grammophon
"…there's such depth to these personal choices from Mischa Maisky that I can't imagine a more delightfully varied yet comprehensive showcase… this CD is a treasure."
Classic FM Magazine , March 2008

Dimitri Stikovetsky's string trio arrangement of Bach Goldberg Variations
"Maisky reveals a deft and thoughtful ensemble sensibility"
Gramophone , May 2007

NordDeutscher Rundfunk / Shostakovich First Cello Concerto
"As soon as Maisky played the first note, it was clear that his generous gestures are completely at the service of an interpretation that seeks to lay open the innermost soul of the music.  Maisky played with sharpness and a biting humour."
Hamburger Abendblatt , April 2005

"Maisky played the Shostakovich cello concerto no.1 with more lyricism than most of his colleagues.  The high point was undoubtedly the moderato, which grew ever higher in intensity, and spilled out into an unravelling cadence." 
Die Welt , April 2005

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Dv orák Cello Concerto
“Mehta praises ‘the translucency of his playing, which sounds so sensible and thought-through, without giving any impression of being artificial.’  I think I know what he means.  Maisky owns the heroic character of the work to such an extent that the first solo entry comes across as an extension of himself, played with great resolution, punching out the sforzando spread chords with no loss of tone quality.”
The Strad , August 2004
 
Beethoven Triple Concerto with Argerich and Capuçon / EMI
“Maisky’s cello holds sway in the first movement particularly, and his muscular but sensitive playing is a delight.  When he duets with Capuçon, the pair appear joined at the hip.”
The Times , June 2004

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Shostakovich First Cello Concerto
“…his performance had an authentic air of struggle and protest. As he flung off each jagged phrase he wheeled around angrily to hear the answering phrase from the timpani, his halo of grey hair flying. And, in the slow movement, he captured the broken, withdrawn, infinitely sad quality of the music.”
The Daily Telegraph , April 2004

“Maisky’s cello was soon soaring out to rise above anything the orchestra could pit against it, then ceding to an expressive horn solo. His was an intense, passionate performance that vividly brought out the work’s desperation…”
The Guardian , April 2004