Now I come to 75 years of age, I think what's most important in life is your conscience. If you told a lie and made other people suffer, I think that's very difficult when you reach this age. Mstislav Rostropovich ageconsciencedifficult Change image and share on social
In 1948 the first severe crash occurred in my life when Stalin put out his decree on 'formalism.' There was a bulletin board in the Moscow Conservatory. They posted the decree, which said Shostakovich's compositions and Prokofiev's were no longer to be played. Mstislav Rostropovich boardbulletincomposition share on social
My mother carried me for 10 months. I asked her 'Mother, you had an extra month, why you didn't make me a beautiful face?' and mother told me, 'My son, I was busy making your beautiful hands and heart.' Mstislav Rostropovich askbeautifulbusy share on social
I came to Moscow when I was 5 years old from Baku. To walk all night in Moscow will bring back my youth to me. Mstislav Rostropovich backbakubring Change image and share on social
People are craving this great progress in electronics, going after computers, the Internet, etc. It's a giant progress technologically. But they must have a balance of soul, a balance for human beauty. That means art has an important role. Mstislav Rostropovich artbalancebeauty share on social
You must play for the love of music. Perfect technique is not as important as making music from the heart. Mstislav Rostropovich heartimportantlove Change image and share on social
Baalbek is so beautiful. It is the heart of beauty in the Middle East - I want to embrace these people with my music. I will try so hard for them. Their president is a Christian, their prime minister is a Muslim. Music is for everyone. Mstislav Rostropovich baalbekbeautifulbeauty share on social
If I make a speech, I need a translator. But music does not need a translation. People understand me through the sound. That I think is very important. This is just one planet, like one family. Mstislav Rostropovich familyimportantmake Change image and share on social
Of course, I know everything that happens in Russia. But even at the most dangerous moment or the most negative moment now, it's still 10 times better than what it was in the communist state. Mstislav Rostropovich communistdangerousmoment Change image and share on social
The war years were the most difficult time of my life. There was real famine in Moscow. The water froze inside the houses. There was no heat. Mstislav Rostropovich difficultfaminefreeze Change image and share on social
