Mstislav Rostropovich

The Profile

Mstislav Rostropovich (27 March 1927 – 27 April 2007) was a Russian cellist and conductor, celebrated for his interpretations of the Bach suites and for inspiring composers such as Shostakovich and Britten to write for him.

Owned the 1711 Duport Stradivarius; championed human rights and supported dissident Andrei Sakharov, which led to his forced exile from the USSR in 1978 and return in 1990.

A reverent, 5-star tribute to Rostropovich's sound and mastery, focused on his Bach suites, expressive tone and historical presence. The reviewer recalls his Duport Stradivarius and notes composers who wrote for him. Emotive and personal, it treats Rostropovich as a musical giant.