19+ Mstislav Rostropovich Quotes On Music, War And Death

Mstislav Rostropovich was a Russian cellist and conductor. He was widely considered one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century, and was renowned for his interpretations of the works of Bach and Shostakovich. He was also a vocal advocate for human rights and freedom of expression, and was awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of Merit for the Fatherland. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Mstislav Rostropovich on music, war, death.

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 composer, and with God. — Mstislav Rostropovich

There is too much emphasis on technical perfection nowadays, and not enough on what music is actually about - irony, joy, human suffering, love. — 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

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

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 Shostakovichs compositions and Prokofievs were no longer to be played. — Mstislav Rostropovich

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

I never studied, but I had the best teachers. — Mstislav Rostropovich

Capitalism, communism ... it's all garbage. — Mstislav Rostropovich

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

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 would rather have ideas and some difficulties of technique than a perfect technique and no ideas. — Mstislav Rostropovich

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

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

I played with the best conductors of the world. — 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

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

Life Lessons by Mstislav Rostropovich

1. Mstislav Rostropovich demonstrated that art and activism can be intertwined, as he used his music to protest against oppressive regimes and to advocate for human rights.
2. His commitment to excellence and his passion for music inspired generations of musicians and audiences alike.
3. His career serves as a reminder that art can be a powerful tool for social change and that it can bring people together in times of difficulty.