Rostropovich

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A Legend has passed.

Mstislav Rostropovich died today at the age of 80.

A tribute to this great musician can be found here.

Composers who wrote works for Rostropovich included: Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Britten, Lutoslawski, Penderecki, Dutilleux, Khachaturian and Bernstein.

He was a vocal opponent of the Soviet government for which he was forced to live in exile for a number of years.

In his later years Rostropovich began a charitable foundation with his wife to help Russian children.

A moving video clip of Rostropovich performing the Prelude to the First of the Bach Cello Suites can be seen here.

'Slava' will definitely be missed.

May His Memory Be Eternal!