Comments on: Rostropovich is dead

By: Bob Huenefeld

Bob Huenefeld — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:50:44 +0000

The passing of Rostropovich hit me very hard.When I read of his illness,I prayed a lot,and while hoping for the best,I also pray let the will of the Lord be done on Earth as well as in Heaven,where I believe Slava is at this moment.

Slava was the dedicate of over 100 compositions.More than a merely proficient cellist,he was,and is,and inspiration to many.He was a very courageous man!

By: Josh Rappaport from Harrisburg Pennsylvania

Josh Rappaport from Harrisburg Pennsylvania — Sat, 12 May 2007 08:53:43 +0000

Forgot to say sorry that Mstislav Rostropovich died. I do agree, he was one of the greatest interpreters of our time.

By: Alban

Alban — Wed, 02 May 2007 21:47:23 +0000

These Beethoven Sonatas with Richter and Rostropovich are really wonderful, I agree, maybe my favorite recordings of them. Yes, will be in Korea soon, looking forward to the food and the people! Will try to do some cd signing there, see you then 🙂

By: mannerist

mannerist — Tue, 01 May 2007 13:14:16 +0000

“Anther legend is gone.” one of my friend gave me that news at that day evening by cellphone message. From that time, I listen his Beethoven cello sonatas with Richer over and over. All I can do for him is pray for his eternal rest, I think. From this year, I’ll remeber April with Rostropovich, like Agust with Richter.

I heard that you’ll be in Korea in this month. I’m looking forward it.
If there is time for autograph, Someone with round glass will get yours with your Kodaly CD. See you at that time. =)

By: Alban

Alban — Tue, 01 May 2007 06:48:35 +0000

Yes Maja, you are right, most of us wouldn’t be doing what we are doing! And you are not selfish at all being grateful for the chance of having met him – it’s something you’ll carry on for your life, and you will be able to tell your grandchildren about in a couple of years to come 🙂 or a couple of decades.

Bob, you are too funny, and I agree with you, that he is beyond compare, so I won’t even start to try to even lift that crown you are talking about! It would smash me.. Today I will hear one of the great living cellists for the first time in my life, Truls MÃ¶rk, playing with Berlin Phil the Brahms Double (and with “my” Lisa Batiashvili) – you’ll be able to see that on DVD or TV rather soon, since it is being broadcast all over the world, the 1st of May concert of Berlin Philharmonic, with Sir Simon conducting!

Yes, you know about his conducting since he was the chief in Washington, DC for many years, and the orchestra did play amazingly under his guidance (they still do, but I remember their sound in the early nineties, quite something).

Thanks for the wishes, George, I am very much looking forward to coming back to Oregon, had a great time there last time – including meeting you.
Best wishes,
Alban

By: George

George — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:42:16 +0000

Alban…Very eloquent tribute to Slava…We will all miss him greatly…Best of luck up in Oregon…I remember our meeting in person when you were last there as a personal and professional highlight in my life..I agree with Bob.

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 19:01:31 +0000

I think you said it as well as it can be said. It is an unspeakable loss. Slava was not just a genius, but a hero to generations of musicians. As a cellist, he was literally beyond compare. As a conductor, he gave his heart to the orchestra and the orchestra played their hearts out for him.

Slava left us with no heir apparent. There is only one cellist I know of who can approach Slava in terms of techniqe, intellect, communicative ability and elan vital. Alban, the crown is heavy but you can carry it!

By: Maja

Maja — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:44:29 +0000

Hello there, sad news today… it sounds somehow impossible that he isn’t with us anymore.. i’m just selfishly happy that i had chance to hear him live, and to meet him once…
what else to say? the legend, idol, giant, “the last of 3″… most of us cellist wouldn’t do what we do if he didn’t exist