Mstislav rostropovich

All my life I wanted to play music with love to every member of the audience.

You must play for the love of music. Perfect technique is not as important as making music from the heart.

I listened to Pablo Casals, which was a big change for me. Without hearing Casals, I would never have advanced as I did.

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.

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...

I played with the best conductors of the world.

You know creators, composers, need a palette for life, a color for life.

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.

I like coming to the United States because the United States played an important role in my life.

I know that after my letter there will be undoubtedly an 'opinion' about me, but I am not afraid of it. I openly say what I think. Talent, of which we are proud, must not be submitted to the assaults...