Dmitri Shostakovich composed his Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107, in the summer of 1959 for his friend Mstislav Rostropovich, who memorised the solo part in four days and gave the premiere on 4 October 1959 with the Leningrad Philharmonic under Yevgeny Mravinsky. Widely regarded as one of the most demanding works in the cello repertoire, the concerto reflects the political climate of the late Soviet era through sardonic wit and dark lyricism. Its four movements - the last three played without a break - culminate in an extended rhapsodic cadenza that Shostakovich treats as a standalone movement.
Yo-Yo Ma released a new recording of both cello concertos by Shostakovich on April 25, 2025 with Deutsche Grammophon, recorded with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Andris Nelsons - on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the composer's death.
Yo-Yo Ma and the Boston Symphony Orchestra performed Cello Concerto No. 1 live in Boston (April 11, sold out) and in Carnegie Hall, New York (April 24, 2025).
Cellist Truls Mørk performs Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1 on October 15, 2026 with the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra.
