39 Quotes by Mstislav Rostropovich

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.

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

I never studied, but I had the best teachers,

I played with the best conductors of the world.

Now I want to use money in a good way. I make foundations back home in Russia, I have sponsored vaccinations for more than one million children in my homeland and I have founded scholarships in the names of my great Russian compatriots - Oistrakh, Richter, Gilels, Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Schnittke.

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 of the past.

I would rather have ideas and some difficulties of technique than a perfect technique and no ideas.

There is too much emphasis on technical perfection nowadays, and not enough on what music is actually about - irony, joy, human suffering, love.