Rostropovich Offers Music, Life for Peace

Mstislav Rostropovich wrapped up an emotional visit to his native Azerbaijan after offering his music or even his life to prevent new fighting in the region. The renowned cellist and conductor offered during his five-day stay to play for the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan for as long as it took to settle the long dispute over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. But as Rostropovich, 70, left for Moscow, he said, “If there is a new outbreak of hostilities in the conflict zone, I will go there, stand between the forces and say: Better kill me.”