The New York Times has reported that legendary cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich passed away today in Moscow.
Update:
A remembrance by On An Overgrown Path's Pliable:
Mstislav Rostropovich will be remembered as a genius with the cello and baton, as a champion of human rights, as a consummate ambassador for music, and above all for his love for humanity. He truly reached out and was burnt by the music, let us celebrate that today.
Scott Spiegelberg talks about his favorite Slava recordings.
Valerie Kampmeier reminisces on playing lessons for a student of Galina Vishnevskaya, Slava's wife:
Another time she opened up to us both about the challenges of her life in the USSR with Slava after Rostropovich was disgraced for having publicly defended Solzhenitsyn. They eventually were obliged to go into exile in the West, which she credited with having saved his life. She had been the prima donna at the Bolshoi Opera, and her career was also in ruins at that point. Her autobiography, Galina, which recounts the whole story, including how she survived the Siege of Leningrad, is totally compelling. I felt so much admiration for them both, and gratitude for living in a democracy.Normal Lebrecht weighs in on the lack of coverage in the US media
Another reminiscence in DownWithTyranny
Quotes by and about Rostropovich from Associated Press
More:
The Guardian's obituary, with tributes from Steven Isserlis, James MacMillan, and Martin Kettle
Washington Post
Associated Press
The Telegraph
CBC
Slava and Richter play the opening of Beethoven's Fourth Sonata for Cello and Piano:
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