Mischa Maisky (Latvian: Miša Maiskis, Hebrew: מישה מייסקי; born January 10, 1948 in Riga) is a USSR-born Israeli cellist.Mischa Maisky is 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 1970, after his sister emigrated to Israel he was arrested and spent 18 months in prison and a working camp. After spending 2 more months in the psychiatric hospital - in order to escape military service - he finally repatriated to Israel in 1972, where he holds citizenship. He also studied for a time with Gregor Piatigorsky in Los Angeles. He currently lives in Belgium. Wikipedia
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