Late in October, the legendary cellist and conductor, who turns 80 next March, withdrew from a planned mini-festival of Shostakovich concerts he was to conduct with the National Symphony Orchestra during the first two weekends of this month. While he was able to attend the October 25 gala in Moscow to celebrate the 80th birthday of his wife, soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, Rostropovich was reportedly advised by doctors not to undertake the transatlantic journey to the US.

Rostropovich's assistant in Paris confirmed to PlaybillArts late last week that he will lead the Orchestre de Paris as scheduled in two all-Shostakovich programs this week and next at the Salle Pleyel. On Wednesday and Thursday, November 15 and 16, the maestro conducts the Cello Concerto No. 1, with soloist Tatiana Vassilieva, and the Symphony No. 8. Next Wednesday and Thursday, November 22 and 23, the program features the Symphony No. 10, the Piano Concerto No. 1 with C_dric Tiberghien, and an orchestral suite from the opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.

As of last week, Rostropovich had no further performances in the United States on his schedule, according to his assistant.