Mstislav Rostropovich quotes

Mstislav Rostropovich was a renowned Russian cellist and conductor, celebrated for his masterful technique and emotive performances. A passionate advocate for human rights, he inspired audiences worldwide through both his music and activism. He is remembered as one of the greatest cellists of the twentieth century and a champion of artistic freedom. Here are 17 of his quotes:

You must play for the love of music. Perfect technique is not as important as making music from the heart.

Mstislav Rostropovich

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

Mstislav Rostropovich

The war years were the most difficult time of my life. There was real famine in Moscow. The water froze inside the houses. There was no heat.

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

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

Mstislav Rostropovich

When I started learning the cello, I fell in love with the instrument because it seemed like a voice - my voice.

Mstislav Rostropovich

I never studied, but I had the best teachers.

Mstislav Rostropovich

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

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

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

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

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

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

I played with the best conductors of the world.

Mstislav Rostropovich