Remembering Slava February 21, 2008

The Centre for Russian Music at Goldsmiths, University of London is hosting an event to commemorate the late Russian Cellist and Conductor, Mstislav Rostropovich.

The event, taking place on Thursday 21 February from 6pm-9pm in Deptford Town Hall Building, is one of a series of concerts being held in Rostropovich’s four major home cities – London, Paris, St Petersburg and Moscow. It will begin with a talk, with Larissa Chirkova (Curator of the Mstislav Rostropovich Archive in St Petersburg), Lilian and Victor Hochhauser (Rostropovich’s London impresarios) and Irina Schnittke (friend and colleague of Rostropovich and widow of the composer Alfred Schnittke), in conversation with Professor of Music, Alexander Ivashkin. A recital will follow this, featuring Irina Schnittke on piano and Professor Ivashkin on cello.

Mstislav Rostropovich was a consummate and much-loved musician, also renowned for his vocal support for human rights and opposition to Soviet rule which led to exile from his homeland. In September 2000, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of London at Goldsmiths. He subsequently hosted a Master Class to open the Council Chamber in Deptford Town Hall Building as a concert venue.

This memorial event will raise money towards the Rostropovich Fund which supports string players studying at Goldsmiths. Tickets are £5 and will be available on the door.

For further information contact Professor Alexander Ivashkin - e-mail: a.ivashkin@gold.ac.uk or phone 020 7919 7645.

Official Website: http://www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/music/index.php