Quotes by Mstislav Rostropovich

About Mstislav Rostropovich:

Mstislav Leopoldovich "Slava" Rostropovich is considered to be one of the greatest cellists ever to have lived. In addition to his interpretations and technique, he was well known for both inspiring and commissioning new works, which enlarged the cello repertoire more than any cellist before or since. He gave the premieres of over 100 pieces, forming long-standing friendships and artistic partnerships with composers including Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, Henri Dutilleux, Witold Lutoslawski, Olivier Messiaen, Luciano Berio, Krzysztof Penderecki, Alfred Schnittke, Norbert Moret, Andreas Makris and Benjamin Britten.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Now I come to 75 years of age, I think what's most important in life is your conscience. If you told a lie and made other people suffer, I think that's very difficult when you reach this age.

Mstislav Rostropovich

Explain to me, please, why in our literature and art so often people absolutely incompetent in this field have the final word.

Mstislav Rostropovich

People are craving this great progress in electronics, going after computers, the Internet, etc. It's a giant progress technologically. But they must have a balance of soul, a balance for human beauty. That means art has an important role.

Mstislav Rostropovich

I never studied, but I had the best teachers.

Mstislav Rostropovich

I played with the best conductors of the world.

Mstislav Rostropovich

My mother carried me for 10 months. I asked her 'Mother, you had an extra month, why you didn't make me a beautiful face?' and mother told me, 'My son, I was busy making your beautiful hands and heart.'

Mstislav Rostropovich

I know that after my letter there will be undoubtedly an 'opinion' about me, but I am not afraid of it. I openly say what I think. Talent, of which we are proud, must not be submitted to the assaults of the past.

Mstislav Rostropovich

I have a very deep religious belief.

Mstislav Rostropovich

Of course, I know everything that happens in Russia. But even at the most dangerous moment or the most negative moment now, it's still 10 times better than what it was in the communist state.

Mstislav Rostropovich

I came to Moscow when I was 5 years old from Baku. To walk all night in Moscow will bring back my youth to me.

Mstislav Rostropovich

The artist must forget the audience, forget the critics, forget the technique, forget everything but love for the music. Then, the music speaks through the performance, and the performer and the listener will walk together with the soul of the compos...

Mstislav Rostropovich

I listened to Pablo Casals, which was a big change for me. Without hearing Casals, I would never have advanced as I did.

Mstislav Rostropovich

Every man must have the right fearlessly to think independently and express his opinion about what he knows, what he has personally thought about and experienced, and not merely to express with slightly different variations the opinion which has been...

Mstislav Rostropovich

If I make a speech, I need a translator. But music does not need a translation. People understand me through the sound. That I think is very important. This is just one planet, like one family.

Mstislav Rostropovich

Baalbek is so beautiful. It is the heart of beauty in the Middle East - I want to embrace these people with my music. I will try so hard for them. Their president is a Christian, their prime minister is a Muslim. Music is for everyone.

Mstislav Rostropovich

Music is part of history, and our history has lessons that cannot be separated from our greatest music.

Mstislav Rostropovich

The cello is a hero because of its register - its tenor voice. It is a masculine instrument, whereas the violin is feminine because of its soprano pitch. When the cello enters in the Dvorak Concerto, it is like a great orator.

Mstislav Rostropovich

Now I want to use money in a good way. I make foundations back home in Russia, I have sponsored vaccinations for more than one million children in my homeland and I have founded scholarships in the names of my great Russian compatriots - Oistrakh, Ri...

Mstislav Rostropovich

It is my aim, my destination in life to make the cello as beloved an instrument as the violin and piano.

Mstislav Rostropovich

You know creators, composers, need a palette for life, a color for life.

Mstislav Rostropovich

Author Bio

  • NameMstislav Rostropovich
  • DescriptionRussian cellist and conductor
  • BornMarch 27, 1927
  • DiedApril 27, 2007
  • CountryRussia; Soviet Union
  • ProfessionComposer; Conductor; Music Educator
  • AwardsState Stalin Prize; Grand Officer Of The Legion Of Honour; Medal "For The Victory Over Germany In The Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"; Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse Des Verdienstordens Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland; Knight Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire; ; People's Artist Of The USSR; Presidential Medal Of Freedom; Order Of Francisco De Miranda; Commander Of The Order Of The Dannebrog; Order For Services To The Fatherland 1st Degree; Order For Services To The Fatherland 2nd Degree; Princess Of Asturias Award - Concord; Four Freedoms Award - Freedom Of Speech; Praemium Imperiale; Léonie Sonning Music Prize