| Mustislav
Rostropovich |
 One
of the great musicians of the 20th century known worldwide as an outspoken
defender of human and individual rights, Mustislav Rostropovich is an
artist active all over the world.
Born in 1927 in Baku in the Ex-Soviet Union, he learned music with his
mother who was a pianist and his father who was a cellist. He entered
the Conservatoire of Moscow at the age of 16, studied not only the cello
but also the composition with Dmitri Shostakovich and Sergey Prokofiev.
Having performed worldwide as top cellist, Rostropovich was offered pieces
from Benjamin Britten, Serguei Prokofiev, Dmitri Shostakovich, George
Bernstein and other famous composers.
He is active not only as cellist but also as conductor. From 1977 to
1994, Rostropovich served as the Music Director of the Washington National
Symphony Orchestra. He also was engaged in the performances of major
orchestras and operas in Europe and the United States, and played the
role of the President of the Evian Music Festival. Rostropovich has promoted
a close friendship with Conductor Seiji Ozawa and jointly performed with
him many times. Furthermore, he performs regularly with the New Japan
Philharmonic Orchestra.
Rostropovich received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star
in December 2003. |
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