MSTISLAV ROSTROPOVICH 

Mstislav Rostropovich (1927-2007) was a legendary Russian cellist and conductor. His father,  Leopold Rostropovich, was also a famous cellist and his mother was a pianist. In 1945 he gained fame as a performer, winning the gold medal at the Third All-Union competition of musicians.

His name became well-known in the West thanks to international contracts and tours. Mstislav Rostropovich performed more than a hundred pieces for cello for the first time and took part in 70 orchestra premieres. About sixty composers have dedicated their works to him, including Aram Khachaturian, Alfred Schnittke, Leonard Bernstein, Krzysztof Penderecki and others.

Since 1969, Rostropovich and his family gave refuge to Alexander Solzhenitsyn, not only allowing him to live at their dacha outside Moscow, but also writing an open letter to Brezhnev in his defense. This was followed by the cancellation of his concerts and tours and put a halt to his recording work. Five years later, the two men's spouses were granted exit visas. Four years later Rostropovich and his family were deprived of their Soviet citizenship, which was restored to them only in 1990.

Since 1974, Rostropovich was one of the leading conductors in the West. For 17 seasons, he was the undisputed leader of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington. Under his leadership, the orchestra became one of the best in America.

Mstislav Rostropovich is also known for his charitable activities. He was president of the Vishnevskaya – Rostropovich Foundation established for the assistance of children's hospitals in Russia as well as one of the trustees of the AM Gorchakov School, revived the spirit and traditions of the Tsarskoe Selo Lyceum.

He played thousands of concerts in concert halls, factories, clubs and royal residences and facilitated the opening of numerous music schools around the world. Under his patronage the International Composers Competition Master Prize was established as a joint effort between the Air Force, the London Symphony Orchestra and EMI Records. The competition brings together fans of serious music and contemporary composers.

Rostropovich was a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences USA, the Academy of Santa Chechillya in Rome, the Royal Academy of Music in England, the Royal Academy of Sweden, the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts, the recipient of the Japan Imperial Art Association Prize and numerous other awards. He was awarded honorary doctorates at more than 50 universities in different countries and was an honorary citizen of many cities in the world. He was awarded a Grammy and during his life received numerous national awards in 29 countries.