The Cellist Film Screening

Advance tickets have been fully reserved for this event. However, additional seats may be available at the door. Questions? Please contact the NEC Box Office.

The New England Conservatory will present a one-night-only public screening of the new documentary, The Cellist, about Gregor Piatigorsky.

Written and directed by Murray Grigor, The Cellist follows the life and legacy of legendary Russian cellist and educator Gregor Piatigorsky (1903-1976). His life and music encompassed the major historical and artistic movements and events of the twentieth century, and the film follows Piatigorsky’s life, loves, and music. This compelling and unique story is driven by Piatigorsky’s passion for the cello and his mission to bring this great instrument and its music to the world. Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera called it a “heartwarming and illuminating portrait of Piatigorsky.”

Supporting his family at age 8, surviving organized massacres of Jews, and playing for silent movies, Piatigorsky became principal cellist of the Bolshoi at age 15. The virtuoso cellist and raconteur escaped the Soviet Union, making him an action hero of the era. The Cellist revels in Piatigorsky’s musicianship, wit, and humanity, as recounted by the virtuosic cellists and musicians he taught.

The film includes commentary from Yo-Yo Ma, Zubin Mehta, and Michael Tilson Thomas.

A post-show panel will include Murray Grigor (film writer and director), Hamid Shams (film director of photography and editor), Carol Colburn Grigor (film executive producer), Terry King (biographer, chief artistic advisor, Piatigorsky student), Laurence Lesser (Piatigorsky student), and Paul Katz (Piatigorsky student).