Mstislav Rostropovich

Mstislav Rostropovich was, by all accounts, a giant. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, to a Russian family of Polish descent, Rostropovich was a celebrated cellist and conductor, gracing stages worldwide. He even earned the rather fitting nickname "Slava," which translates to "glory." It's almost as if his parents knew he'd be pretty good with a cello and a baton.

His artistic prowess was undeniable, but what truly set Rostropovich apart was his courageous defiance of Soviet oppression. He famously sheltered Alexander Solzhenitsyn and spoke out against censorship, actions that earned him governmental disfavor and eventually, exile. He lost his Soviet citizenship in 1978, only to have it restored in 1990, just in time for the USSR to, well, dissolve.

While his contributions to music are legendary, and his stands for artistic freedom were monumental, there's absolutely no indication that Rostropovich had any connection to Jewish identity or origin. So, while we could kvell over his cello playing all day, he just doesn't quite fit the mold for our usual inquiries.

His "Jew or Not Jew" score reflects his complete lack of Jewish ties, while acknowledging his indisputable status as a global icon. One might say he was too busy mastering the cello to get involved in any cultural identity crises, and frankly, we