The musical partnership of Sergei Prokofiev and Mstislav Rostropovich

Abstract

Among twentieth-century composers, Sergei Prokofiev is widely considered to be one of the most popular and important figures. Even though the Soviet government at the time was strict and controlled all activities, he gradually tried to invent his own musical style and match it with the government's expectations. Prokofiev's partnership with the great Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich was crucial for his cello works, as Rostropovich served as both advisor and assistant composer. This study explores the relationship between composer Sergei Prokofiev and cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. The research is a discussion of their biographical information and the effect of the Soviet government's environment on their work. There is also discussion of Prokofiev's major cello works for which he partnered with Rostropovich. The research highlights the importance of the composer-performer relationships that have been found throughout musical history and continue to this day.