The cellist Mstislav Rostropovich is undoubtedly an outstanding master of his instrument. After leaving Russia in the mid-1970s, he established himself as a performer and conductor in the West. Filmed in Aldeburgh, where he served as festival director, we accompany Rostropovich and the Pears Britten Orchestra during the rehearsals, where they play works by Britten and Penderecki, talking about his eventful life and his music.