“Rostropovich, who died Friday in Moscow at 80, went on, of course, to become one of the most celebrated musicians of our — or any other — time. Not only were some 240 pieces written for him, but he was a major political figure. Larger than life, he was Slava to the world. But Rostropovich cannot be left out in any study of the vagaries of fame. I hope history is kind to him. His early achievements easily outweigh the musical immoderation of his over-the-top years. He left behind enough great music and music making for any lifetime.”