Rostropovich's legacyin Baku
Mstislav Rostropovich's family moved to Baku two years before he was born. Thus, in 1925, prominent Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli invited a talented musician and cellist, professor Leopold Rostropovich to Baku to teach at the State Conservatory. Leopold Rostropovich, who previously visited Baku to give a concert, moved to Baku with his family, and his wife, pianist Sofya Fedotova, also started a class of piano at the conservatory. The house where they lived on the former Kolodezni Street (now Rostropovich Street) until 1931, and where Mstislav Rostropovich was born in 1927 and spent his childhood, now serves as a museum.
The exposition of the museum is rich in interesting materials reflecting M.Rostropovich's childhood, youth and activities. The exposition consists of two parts. The first part reflects the atmosphere of the house where the Rostropovich family lived and the environment of that period. Among the exhibits displayed in the museum are letters written by Leopold Rostropovich to Uzeyir Hajibeyli, items belonging to the Rostropovich family, carpets and furniture belonging to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The second part of the exposition includes important moments of M. Rostropovich's life and work, films about him, audio tapes of maestro’s performances. Rostropovich's tailcoat, which he wore during a concert at the State Philharmonic in 2005, his conductor's baton, video footage from the concert, photos and a concert program with the maestro's autograph are displayed in the museum as well. You can visit the house-museum daily except Monday from 10:00 to 18:00. The tickets can be purchased at the museum's entrance.
For additional information:
House-museum of Leopold and Mstislav Rostropovich
Address: Baku, Rostropovich str., 31
Tel: +99412 492 0265
museum.az/en/museum/33
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