Mstislav Rostropovich, one of the greatest 20th-century cellists, studied composition with Dmitri Shostakovich. Their mutual respect soon grew into a close friendship that resulted in the dedication of Cello Concerto No. 1 to Rostropovich and, years later, Cello Concerto No. 2 being premiered by Rostropovich in Moscow on the day of Shostakovich's 60th birthday. These Supraphon discs feature the previously unreleased Prague recordings of both works, recorded shortly after their premieres.