Mstislav Rostropovich

Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich (????????? ????????????? ????????????) (born March 27, 1927) is a Russian cellist and conductor, considered to be one of the greatest living cellists.

Further career

His talent sparked compositions from numerous composers such as Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Britten, Dutilleux, Bernstein and Penderecki. He completed Prokofiev's Cello Concertino after the composer's death and gave the first performances of both Shostakovich's cello concertos. Rostropovich introduced Shostakovich's First Concerto to London and began an association with Benjamin Britten, who wrote the Cello Sonata, 3 Solo Suites and the Cello Symphony with him in mind.

Related Topics:
Shostakovich - Prokofiev - Britten - Dutilleux - Bernstein - Penderecki

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From 1977 until 1994, he was musical director and conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington, DC. He is also the director and founder of many music festivals (Aldeburgh, Rostropovitch Festival), while still performing with some of the most famous musicians such as (Richter and Horowitz).

Related Topics:
1977 - 1994 - National Symphony Orchestra - Washington, DC - Richter - Horowitz

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His impromptu performance during the Fall of the Berlin Wall (November 1989), as events unfolded, earned him international fame and was shown on television throughout the world.

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His Russian citizenship was restored in 1990.

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Rostropovich received many international awards, including the French Legion of Honor, and honorary doctorates from the most prestigious international universities. He is an activist, fighting for freedom of expression in art and politics. An ambassador for the UNESCO, he supports many educational and cultural projects. Rostropovich and his wife, Galina Vishnevskaya, started a foundation whose goal is to stimulate social projects and activities.

Related Topics:
French Legion of Honor - UNESCO

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Rostropovich Home Museum opened on March 4, 2002 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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Rostropovich's instrument is the Duport Stradivarius.

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