Mstislav Rostropovich Quotes

Russian - Musician | March 27, 1927 - April 27, 2007

In 1948 the first severe crash occurred in my life when Stalin put out his decree on 'formalism.' There was a bulletin board in the Moscow Conservatory. They posted the decree, which said Shostakovich's compositions and Prokofiev's were no longer to be played.

Mstislav Rostropovich

LifeMy LifeSaidFirstOutBoard

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

ChangeMeNeverHearingWithoutBig

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

PastTalentI AmMeOpinionProud

All my life I wanted to play music with love to every member of the audience.

Mstislav Rostropovich

LifeLoveMusicMy LifePlayMember

I have a very deep religious belief.

Mstislav Rostropovich

DeepBeliefReligiousVery

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, Richter, Gilels, Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Schnittke.

Mstislav Rostropovich

GoodHomeChildrenGreatMoneyBack

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

LifeAgeLiePeopleThinkReach

I like coming to the United States because the United States played an important role in my life.

Mstislav Rostropovich

LifeMy LifeImportantComingRole

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

MomentNegativeBetterDangerousNow

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

BeautyGreatArtSoulProgress

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

FamilyMusicPeopleMeThinkSpeech

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

BeautyMusicHeartBeautifulPeople

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