Mstislav Rostropovich

Peter Gordon-Potts writes: Rostropovich was the solo cellist at the concert at the Snape Maltings in celebration of the 75th birthday of Peter Pears. Just before he was due to appear, André Previn announced that, at the last moment, Rostropovich had found himself unable to attend. However, by great good fortune he had been able to arrange for one of his star pupils, Galina Shevninskaya, to play in his stead. She appeared on the platform, settled comfortably into her chair, and looked up to the conductor to indicate she was ready to begin. It was only when she removed her wig that the “star pupil” was revealed as the great man himself.

Tony Pristavec writes: The first time I met the maestro and his cello at Heathrow to drive him home, I asked how he wanted to put his valuable instrument into the vehicle. His response floored me: “Head first into the front seat – just like a beautiful woman.”

Julian Hall writes: My treasured memory of Rostropovich is of him in the Jubilee Hall at Aldeburgh. We had arrived early for what was to be a superb master class. A rather battered upright piano was on the stage and an elegant young woman was cleaning it with a spray and a duster. Rostropovich appeared from backstage, took a look at what was going on, seized the spray can, sprayed polish on his own head, and then buffed it up with the duster. He left roaring with laughter, as were we.

Lord Weatherill

David Parker writes: At the launch of the Prince’s Trust programme in 1990 (organised jointly with the Speaker’s Commission on Citizenship), I arranged for 30 young people from all over the UK to meet Lord Weatherill as part of their programme. He met them at the doors of the Houses of Parliament, dressed in his full regalia; gave them a tour of the palace, including the bedroom where monarchs traditionally slept before their Coronation; a visit to the Commons chamber and tea on the terrace. He gave them two hours of his time and made what to many of them could have been a rather dry and boring lecture tour into a fascinating and personal insight into the workings of Parliament.

He was a gracious host, a gentleman to the core; paying attention to his guests and showing a very real interest in them. He could easily have got someone else to do this, yet he generously paid them the compliment of looking after them himself. The young people were full of praise for him, and I for one will never forget the occasion.