Mstislav Rostropovich Dies

Commemorating the Death of World Famous Russian Cellist

May 4, 2007

Russian cellist Rostropovich was laid to rest in the same cemetery which houses Shostakovich and Prokofiev. He left behind several passionate recordings.

The Funeral

Thousands of mourners commemorated the passing of Mstislav Rostropovich. He had died Friday, April 27, 2007 at the age of 80 from intestinal cancer and was buried in the cemetery housing his friend and compatriot Boris Yeltsin. The Novodevichye cemetery acts as the resting place for many of Russia's greatest figures. In fact, one might call Novodevichye the Westminster Abby of Moscow.

On Saturday, April 28, his body was on display in the Moscow Conservatory, the well-known musical institution where Rostropovich received his musical education under such greats as Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitri Shostakovich. Afterwards, he was placed in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior where more visitors continued to pay their final respects throughout the night.

During the service on Sunday, April 29, the Archbishop Alexy read the words of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II. The patriarch called Rostropovich a "tireless activist, defender of human dignity, spiritual freedom and love for the Motherland." Part of that activism and love included initiating a charity concert to rebuild the damage the cathedral had suffered under the Soviet regime.

Impact of Rostropovich's Life

Though famous for his mastery as a cellist, Rostropovich was also beloved for his anti-Soviet stance during the Cold War. He spoke out on behalf of fellow Russian Alexander Solzhenitsyn when the writer was imprisoned. Appropriately, Solzhenitsyn's wife attended the funeral, returning the respect once shown to her husband. Rostropovich spent several years abroad, leaving in 1974 and returning to his native Russia only after Gorbachev rehabilitated the musician in 1990.

Other dignitaries at the funeral included Spain's Queen Sofia, French first lady Bernadette Chirac and President Ilham Aliev of Azerbaijan, birthplace of Rostropovich. Of course, several musicians also showed up to pay their respects to this giant of classical cello music and political dissent.

Rostropovich's Performance Style

Rostropovich told NPR that the emotional connection he made with the audience was very important. Cellist Lynn Harrell described Rostropovich's passionate playing: "He was a gigantic virtuoso, but one who threw caution to the winds to such an extent that the cause of drama and the intensity of the music itself were uppermost." Another cellist, Yo Yo Ma, recounts on NPR how Rostropovich was always promoting and premiering new works in the cello repertoire.

Suggestions for Introductory Recordings of Rostropovich's Recordings

Rostropovich has also recorded Bach's Six Cello Suites, Dvorak's Cello Concerto, and Saint-Saens' Cello Concerto.

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