80th Anniversity Celebration For World Classical Musician Mstislav Rostropovich Held By Russian President Putin At Russian Federation Kremlin Palace

"Feeble but clearly pleased, Mstislav Rostropovich came to the [Russian Federation] Kremlin on Tuesday evening for a gala celebration marking the 80th birthday of a man renowned for his music and his human rights work.

Rostropovich, who had been hospitalized in February for an undisclosed illness, walked slowly into the celebration on the arms of his wife, Galina Vishnyevsakaya, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The hall was decked in decorations shaped like cellos, the instrument of which he was a towering master.

'I feel myself the happiest man in the world,' Rostropovich said after slowly rising from his chair, in remarks shown on Russian state television. 'I will be even more happy if this evening will be pleasant for you.'

Putin then presented him with a medal -- the Order of Service to the Fatherland." ...

Jim Heintz and Associated Press "Rostropovich Feted on 80th Birthday" topix.net March 27, 2007

http://www.topix.net/content/ap/
2663371418194331877906763403404019866234

















Musician and humanist Mstislav Rostropovich, Musician and philanthropist Galina Vishnyevsakaya, and Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin.

Vishnevskaya-Rostropovich Foundation

Photo credit: (c) Associated Press 2007. All rights reserved. With thanks.