This isn"t a whole lot of music for a CD (it reproduces one LP exactly), but what"s here is really choice. Mstislav Rostropovich and Benjamin Britten had a long-standing musical friendship that resulted in the composer writing several major pieces for the cellist. Apparently they also loved to play together. Britten, who did not play in public very frequently, was a major pianist, capable of holding his own as a four-hand partner of Sviatoslav Richter. He seems to have had a special fondness for Schubert. Bridge, a composer of strong- willed music, was Britten"s main teacher. These performances are very special, and the sound quality is excellent. --Leslie Gerber