Mstislav Rostropovich was a renowned Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor, celebrated for his emotional performances and technical skill.
He inspired and premiered over 100 new works, significantly expanding the cello repertoire during his lifetime.
Rostropovich was the music director and conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., from 1977 to 1994.
Biography
Early Life
Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich was born on March 27, 1927, in Baku, Azerbaijan, then part of the Soviet Union. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a cellist and his mother a pianist, which laid the foundation for his illustrious career as a cellist and conductor. Rostropovich's early exposure to music and his innate talent led him to study at the Moscow Conservatory, where he honed his skills and developed a unique style that would later captivate audiences worldwide.
Career
Rostropovich's career spanned several decades, during which he became one of the most celebrated cellists in history. He was renowned not only for his technical prowess but also for his ability to inspire and commission new works, significantly expanding the cello repertoire. Throughout his career, he formed lasting relationships with prominent composers such as Dmitri Shostakovich and Sergei Prokofiev, premiering over 100 new pieces. His performances were marked by emotional depth and technical brilliance, earning him accolades and a devoted following.
In addition to his solo career, Rostropovich served as the music director and conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., from 1977 to 1994. He was also involved in humanitarian efforts, notably organizing concerts to aid victims of the 1988 Armenian earthquake, which raised significant funds for relief efforts.
Later Life and Legacy
Rostropovich's health began to decline in 2006, but he continued to be an influential figure in the music world until his passing on April 27, 2007, at the age of 80. His legacy is marked by numerous awards, including the Stalin Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, reflecting his contributions to music and culture. He is remembered not only for his extraordinary talent but also for his commitment to promoting music as a means of connection and healing across the globe.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
"London" Trios, nos. 1-4 / Divertissement, op. 100, nos. 2 & 61983
- 1."London" Trio no. 1 in C: Allegro moderato - Andante - Finale - Vivace8:08
- 2."London" Trio no. 2 in G: Andante - Allegro4:25
- 3."London" Trio no. 3 in G: Spiritoso - Andante - Allegro10:38
- 4.Divertissement no. 2 in G, op. 100: Allegro - Adagio - Finale - Allegro10:06
- 5.Divertissement no. 6 In D, op. 100: Allegro moderato - Adagio6:08
- 6."London" Trio no. 4 in G: Allegro3:01
Symphony no. 51983
- 1.Symphony no. 5 in D minor, op. 47: I. Moderato15:30
- 2.Symphony no. 5 in D minor, op. 47: II. Allegretto5:36
- 3.Symphony no. 5 in D minor, op. 47: III. Largo12:48
- 4.Symphony no. 5 in D minor, op. 47: IV. Allegro non troppo11:49
Timbres, espace, mouvement / Métaboles1983
- 1.Métaboles: I. Incantatoire (Largamente)2:57
- 2.Métaboles: II. Linéaire (Lento moderato)3:02
- 3.Métaboles: III. Obsessionnel (Scherzando)3:01
- 4.Métaboles: IV. Torpide (Andantino)2:50
- 5.Métaboles: V. Flamboyant (Presto)4:05
- 6.Timbres, espace, mouvement ou "La Nuit étoilée": Premier mouvement7:54
- 7.Timbres, espace, mouvement ou "La Nuit étoilée": Deuxième mouvement7:00
The Cello Sonatas1983
- 1.Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38: I. Allegro non troppo15:02
- 2.Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38: II. Allegretto quasi Menuetto5:38
- 3.Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38: III. Allegro6:43
- 4.Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99: I. Allegro vivace9:31
- 5.Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99: II. Adagio affettuoso8:26
- 6.Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99: III. Allegro passionato7:59
- 7.Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99: IV. Allegro molto4:25
Romeo and Juliet Suites 1 & 21983
- 1.Suite Nr. 1: I. Volkstanz4:27
- 2.Suite Nr. 1: II. Szene1:37
- 3.Suite Nr. 1: III. Madrigal3:17
- 4.Suite Nr. 1: IV. Menuett3:20
- 5.Suite Nr. 1: V. Masken2:05
- 6.Suite Nr. 1: VI. Romeo und Julia7:36
- 7.Suite Nr. 1: VII. Tybalts Tod4:35
- 8.Suite Nr. 2: I. Die Montagues und Capulets5:51
- 9.Suite Nr. 2: II. Julia als Kind3:48
- 10.Suite Nr. 2: III. Pater Lorenzo2:29
- 11.Suite Nr. 2: IV. Tanz2:06
- 12.Suite Nr. 2: V. Romeo bei Julia vor der Trennung7:50
- 13.Suite Nr. 2: VI. Tanz der Mädchen von den Antillen2:13
- 14.Suite Nr. 2: VII. Romeo am Grabe Julias5:49
Bernstein conducts Bernstein: Divertimento / Halil / On the Town / Three Meditations From "Mass"1982
- 1.Divertimento for orchestra: I. Sennets and Tuckets: Allegro non troppo, ma con brio1:19
- 2.Divertimento for orchestra: II. Waltz: Allegretto, con grazia2:12
- 3.Divertimento for orchestra: III. Mazurka: Mesto (molto moderato)1:57
- 4.Divertimento for orchestra: IV. Samba: Allegro giusto0:59
- 5.Divertimento for orchestra: V. Turkey Trot: Allegretto, ben misurato1:56
- 6.Divertimento for orchestra: VI. Sphinxes: Adagio lugubre0:52
- 7.Divertimento for orchestra: VII. Blues: Slow blues tempo1:38
- 8.Divertimento for orchestra: VIII. March: The BSO Forever3:42
- 9.Halil, nocturne for flute solo, piccolo, alto flute, percussion & harp; also for flute, piano & percussion16:14
- 10.Three Meditations from 'Mass', for cello & orchestra; also for cello & piano: I. Lento assai, molto sostenuto4:34
- 11.Three Meditations from 'Mass', for cello & orchestra; also for cello & piano: II. Andante sostenuto - Variations I-IV - Coda4:09
- 12.Three Meditations from 'Mass', for cello & orchestra; also for cello & piano: III. Presto - Fast and primitive - Molto adagio8:24
- 13.Three Dance Episodes from 'On the Town', for orchestra: I. The Great Lover. Allegro pesante1:50
- 14.Three Dance Episodes from 'On the Town', for orchestra: II. Lonely Town: Pas de deux. Andante - Sostenuto3:40
- 15.Three Dance Episodes from 'On the Town', for orchestra: III. Times Square: 1944. Allegro4:52
Concerto per violoncello e orchestra op. 1041981
- 1.Concerto in si min. per violoncello e orchestra op. 104: I. Allegro
- 2.Concerto in si min. per violoncello e orchestra op. 104: II. Adagio ma non troppo
- 3.Concerto in si min. per violoncello e orchestra op. 104: III. Finale (Allegro moderato)
Souvenir de Florence1981
- 1.Souvenir de Florence: I. Allegro con spirito
- 2.Souvenir de Florence: II. Adagio cantabile e con moto
- 3.Souvenir de Florence: III. Allegretto moderato
- 4.Souvenir de Florence: IV. Allegro vivace
Ballett‐Suiten: Dornröschen / Schwanensee / Nußknacker1979
- 1.Dornröschen (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 66a: I. Introduction. La Fée des lilas4:33
- 2.Dornröschen (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 66a: II. Adagio. Pas d’action5:43
- 3.Dornröschen (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 66a: III. Pas de caractère. Le Chat botté et la Chatte blanche1:41
- 4.Dornröschen (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 66a: IV. Panorama3:39
- 5.Dornröschen (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 66a: V. Valse4:33
- 6.Der Nußknacker (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 71a: I. Ouverture miniature3:04
- 7.Der Nußknacker (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 71a: II. Danses caractéristiques: a. Marche2:26
- 8.Der Nußknacker (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 71a: II. Danses caractéristiques: b. Danse de la Fée‐Dragée2:06
- 9.Der Nußknacker (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 71a: II. Danses caractéristiques: c. Danse russe Trépak1:10
- 10.Der Nußknacker (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 71a: II. Danses caractéristiques: d. Danse arabe3:46
- 11.Der Nußknacker (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 71a: II. Danses caractéristiques: e. Danse chinoise1:14
- 12.Der Nußknacker (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 71a: II. Danses caractéristiques: f. Danse des mirlitons2:35
- 13.Der Nußknacker (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 71a: III. Valse des fleurs6:45
- 14.Der Schwanensee (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 20a: I. Scène3:03
- 15.Der Schwanensee (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 20a: II. Valse6:49
- 16.Der Schwanensee (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 20a: III. Danse des cygnes1:27
- 17.Der Schwanensee (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 20a: IV. Scène6:22
- 18.Der Schwanensee (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 20a: V. Danse hongroise (Czardas)3:18
- 19.Der Schwanensee (Suite aus dem Ballett), op. 20a: VI. Scène finale4:26
Richard Strauss: Cello Sonata / Beethoven: Cello Variations on “Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen” and “See, the Conquering Hero Comes”1975
- 1.Sonata in F, op. 6: I. Allegro con brio9:25
- 2.Sonata in F, op. 6: II. Andante ma non troppo7:10
- 3.Sonata in F, op. 6: III. Finale. Allegro vivo8:59
- 4.Twelve Variations on “Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen” (from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte), op. 6610:30
- 5.Twelve Variations on “See the Conqu’ring Hero Comes” (from Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus), WoO 4513:38
Cellokonzert / Rokoko Variationen1974
- 1.Konzert für Violoncello und Orchester a-moll op. 129: I. Nicht zu schnell
- 2.Konzert für Violoncello und Orchester a-moll op. 129: II. Langsam
- 3.Konzert für Violoncello und Orchester a-moll op. 129: III. Sehr lebhaft
- 4.Variationen über ein Rokoko-Thema für Violoncello und Orchester op. 3318:39
Schéhérazade1974
- 1.Schéhérazade, op. 35: I. Das Meer und Sindbads Schiff11:24
- 2.Schéhérazade, op. 35: II. Die Geschichte vom Prinzen Kalender12:56
- 3.Schéhérazade, op. 35: III. Der junge Prinz und die junge Prinzessin10:31
- 4.Schéhérazade, op. 35: IV. Fest in Bagdad - Das Meer - Das Schiff treibt gegen den Magnetberg und zerschellt12:56
Symphony No. 141973
Tracklist not collected yet.
Violin Concerto & Double Concerto1972
Tracklist not collected yet.
Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 1021970
Tracklist not collected yet.
Eugène Onéguine1970
Tracklist not collected yet.
Tripelkonzert C-dur op.561970
Tracklist not collected yet.
Dvořák: Cellokonzert / Tschaikowsky: Rokoko‐Variationen1969
Tracklist not collected yet.
Songs and Dances of Death1962
Tracklist not collected yet.
Cellokonzert A-Moll / Rokoko-Variationen1961
Tracklist not collected yet.
Cello Concerto no. 1 / Symphony no. 11959
Tracklist not collected yet.
Cello Concerto1958
Tracklist not collected yet.
Симфония-Концерт для виолончели с оркестром, соч. 1251957
Tracklist not collected yet.
Трио ля минор1952
Tracklist not collected yet.
Le Violoncelle du siècle1997
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Achievements
- Award
- Stalin Prize, 2nd degree
- Award
- Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour
- Award
- Medal "For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"
- Award
- Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Award
- Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Award
- Commander of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
- Award
- People's Artist of the USSR
- Award
- Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Award
- Order of Francisco de Miranda
- Award
- commander of the Order of the Dannebrog
- Award
- Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 1st class
- Award
- Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd class
- Award
- Princess of Asturias Award for Concord
- Award
- Four Freedoms Award – Freedom of Speech
- Award
- Praemium Imperiale
- Award
- Léonie Sonning Music Prize
- Award
- Gramophone Award for Lifetime Achievement
- Award
- Medal "For Valiant Labour in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"
- Award
- Medal "For the Development of Virgin Lands"
- Award
- Jubilee Medal "60 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"
- Award
- Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow"
- Award
- Medal "Defender of a Free Russia"
- Award
- Grand Officer of the National Order of the Cedar
- Award
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary
- Award
- Commander of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau
- Award
- Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Award
- Commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
- Award
- Commander of the Order of Saint-Charles
- Award
- Grand Cross of the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword
- Award
- Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
- Award
- Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal
- Award
- Litteris et Artibus
- Award
- People's Artist of the RSFSR
- Award
- Merited Artist of the RSFSR
- Award
- Lenin Prize
- Award
- Kennedy Center Honors
- Award
- Catalonia International Prize
- Award
- Wolf Prize in Arts
- Award
- honorary doctorate at the Laval University
- Award
- honorary doctorate of Haifa University
- Award
- honorary doctor of Tel Aviv University
- Award
- honorary doctor of Harvard University
- Award
- Order of the Liberator General San Martín
- Award
- Ernst von Siemens Music Prize
- Award
- Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Award
- Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres
- Award
- Commander's Grand Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas
- Award
- Commander of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- Award
- honorary doctor of the Chopin University of Music
- Award
- Heydar Aliyev Order
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Mstislav Leopoldovitj Rostropovitj, Mstislav Rostropovich, Mstislav Rostropovitch, Mstislav Rostropovitj, Mstislav Rostropovitsj, Mstislaw Leopoldowitsch Rostropowitsch
Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich was a Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor. In addition to his interpretations and technique, he was well known for both inspiring and commissioning new works, which enlarged the cello repertoire more than any cellist before or since. He inspired and premiered over 100 pieces, forming long-standing friendships and artistic partnerships with composers including Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, Nikolai Myaskovsky, Henri Dutilleux, Witold Lutosławski, Olivier Messiaen, Luciano Berio, Krzysztof Penderecki, Alfred Schnittke, Norbert Moret, Andreas Makris, Leonard Bernstein, Aram Khachaturian, and Benjamin Britten.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…