As much I love Rostropovich, this is an album full of sloppy and inaccurate playing. This may be partially due to the ridiculously fast tempi taken by the soloist. There are far better recordings of the Haydn concerto out there, including (another) one by Slava himself.

I play the cello, and its not impossibly fast. But it's faster than anyone else.

I don't understand this album. The tempo of the Haydn in C is way to fast - and I don't think Rostropovich would have performed it at this tempo. I heard him play this with the Minnesota Symphony 32 years ago, and he played it in the elegant Classical style intended, not Allegro Fuoco. I think it has been digitally altered. Check out the album - Mitslav Rostropovich in which the tempo is accurately played - even the Haydn in D is too fast. It's pretty comical though.

Slava is genius in this album. His technique is flawless and the expression is undeniably greater than any other cellist's. This album is phenomenal!!