Int’l Mstislav Rostropovich Festival returning to Baku
By Amina Nazarli
The name of one of the greatest cellists and conductors of the 20th century, Mstislav Rostropovich is known by many people. Baku is going to host the 9th International Mstislav Rostropovich Festival on April 23.
This festival follows an established tradition of excellence, presenting internationally renowned soloists and orchestras.
The festival, to be co-organized by Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mstislav Rostropovich Foundation and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, will offer premières of new compositions, musical rarities, and works in different genres.
A grandiose performance by People`s Artist Murad Adigozalzade, as well as Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra and Azerbaijan State Chapel Choir will amaze Baku audience.
The festival aims to promote the débuts of exceptionally gifted young musicians.
Rostropovich was born in Baku, Azerbaijan during the Soviet Union era in 1927. He was of mostly ethnic Russian ancestry, and his father was partly Polish.
This genius in music was the son of cellist Leopold Rostropovich, and the great-grandson of Hannibal Rostropovich - a Polish landowner from Skotniki.
Rostropovich was internationally recognized as a staunch advocate of human rights, and he was awarded the 1974 Award of the International League of Human Rights.
A five-time Grammy Award winner, he has become one of the West leading conductors. For 17 seasons, he was the permanent conductor and artistic director of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, which was included in the list of one of the best American orchestras. Rostropovich appeared regularly in the Berlin Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, as well as London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic.
--
Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @amina_nazarli
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz