MUSIC

Rostropovich to Retire: Mstislav Rostropovich, the exiled Russian cellist who has been the director of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington for the past 17 years, will retire in the fall of 1994. The conductor, 65, said in a statement that he wants to spend more time in his native Russia to respond to “calls for help.” Upon his retirement, he’ll be named the orchestra’s lifetime laureate conductor and will conduct it four weeks a season. He will also be available for recordings and tours.