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János Starker obituary János Starker obituary
(5 months later)
János Starker, who has died aged 88, was a true aristocrat of the cello. Not only an impeccable virtuoso with more than 5,000 concerts and 160 recordings to his name, he was also a devoted teacher and passed on his technical and interpretative insights to students at Indiana University Bloomington for more than half a century.János Starker, who has died aged 88, was a true aristocrat of the cello. Not only an impeccable virtuoso with more than 5,000 concerts and 160 recordings to his name, he was also a devoted teacher and passed on his technical and interpretative insights to students at Indiana University Bloomington for more than half a century.
Brought up and trained in Hungary, he was recognised as the brightest star of the Hungarian cello school, but Starker was deeply marked by early traumas. He wrote in his memoir The World of Music According to Starker (2004): "When I recall my 22 years in Hungary, I feel only joy and a sense of belonging in being an American."Brought up and trained in Hungary, he was recognised as the brightest star of the Hungarian cello school, but Starker was deeply marked by early traumas. He wrote in his memoir The World of Music According to Starker (2004): "When I recall my 22 years in Hungary, I feel only joy and a sense of belonging in being an American."
He was born in Budapest into a Jewish family, the son of a tailor, Sandor. His mother, Margit, dreamed of having musical sons; János's elder brothers were encouraged to be violinists, and at six János was given a cello. After lessons with Fritz Teller failed, his parents approached Adolf Schiffer, a pupil of David Popper and his successor at the Franz Liszt Academy.He was born in Budapest into a Jewish family, the son of a tailor, Sandor. His mother, Margit, dreamed of having musical sons; János's elder brothers were encouraged to be violinists, and at six János was given a cello. After lessons with Fritz Teller failed, his parents approached Adolf Schiffer, a pupil of David Popper and his successor at the Franz Liszt Academy.
In 1931 Starker heard Pablo Casals and was introduced to the great man by Schiffer. "My fate was sealed," he recalled. "Two years later, when I was already in the preparatory class of the Academy, I attended a recital in which Bela Bartok played with Emanuel Feuermann. It was a revelation. I felt sure that was how a cello should sound."In 1931 Starker heard Pablo Casals and was introduced to the great man by Schiffer. "My fate was sealed," he recalled. "Two years later, when I was already in the preparatory class of the Academy, I attended a recital in which Bela Bartok played with Emanuel Feuermann. It was a revelation. I felt sure that was how a cello should sound."
At six hours' notice, in 1938 Starker gave his first performance with orchestra of Dvorak's Cello Concerto; and in 1939 he revived Kodaly's formidable solo Sonata, unheard for years. But Hungarian antisemitism became rampant in the second world war, the Germans invaded in 1944 and many members of his family were lost in the Holocaust, including his brothers.At six hours' notice, in 1938 Starker gave his first performance with orchestra of Dvorak's Cello Concerto; and in 1939 he revived Kodaly's formidable solo Sonata, unheard for years. But Hungarian antisemitism became rampant in the second world war, the Germans invaded in 1944 and many members of his family were lost in the Holocaust, including his brothers.
Starker himself spent three months in a labour camp and was almost killed by American bombing. Somehow he, his wife, Eva, whom he married in 1944, and their parents survived.Starker himself spent three months in a labour camp and was almost killed by American bombing. Somehow he, his wife, Eva, whom he married in 1944, and their parents survived.
In Paris in 1947, he made 78rpm discs of the Kodaly solo Sonata, which won the Grand Prix du Disque. When the composer was in Paris the following spring, Starker was in demand at every gathering. Even more crucial was meeting the conductor Antal Dorati, who got him to the US as principal cellist of the Dallas Symphony. Another Hungarian, Fritz Reiner, poached him for the Metropolitan Opera in New York; and in 1953 he went with Reiner to the Chicago Symphony – his beautiful solo playing can be heard in Emil Gilels's recording of Brahms's Second Piano Concerto.In Paris in 1947, he made 78rpm discs of the Kodaly solo Sonata, which won the Grand Prix du Disque. When the composer was in Paris the following spring, Starker was in demand at every gathering. Even more crucial was meeting the conductor Antal Dorati, who got him to the US as principal cellist of the Dallas Symphony. Another Hungarian, Fritz Reiner, poached him for the Metropolitan Opera in New York; and in 1953 he went with Reiner to the Chicago Symphony – his beautiful solo playing can be heard in Emil Gilels's recording of Brahms's Second Piano Concerto.
Starker made his London debut in 1957 with a sold-out Wigmore Hall recital and at the Edinburgh festival he played all six Bach solo Suites in two concerts – the first time he had performed this feat. Having left Chicago in 1958, he took up the professorship at Indiana University school of music that made him the most celebrated cello teacher in America.Starker made his London debut in 1957 with a sold-out Wigmore Hall recital and at the Edinburgh festival he played all six Bach solo Suites in two concerts – the first time he had performed this feat. Having left Chicago in 1958, he took up the professorship at Indiana University school of music that made him the most celebrated cello teacher in America.
He continued teaching until nine months ago. Students found him devastatingly candid, but also humorous, exceptionally analytical and able to defuse awkward moments.He continued teaching until nine months ago. Students found him devastatingly candid, but also humorous, exceptionally analytical and able to defuse awkward moments.
From the 1960s Starker was among the world's top soloists, famed for his concert demeanour. His bow arm was the envy of colleagues, his legato was immaculate and his left hand delivered pinpoint intonation. In all this, he was the heir of Feuermann. His tone was not large, but was so keenly focused that it carried in concertos: he invented a type of bridge, the piece of wood through which the vibrations of the strings reach the instrument's body, that he felt increased the penetration of the tone.From the 1960s Starker was among the world's top soloists, famed for his concert demeanour. His bow arm was the envy of colleagues, his legato was immaculate and his left hand delivered pinpoint intonation. In all this, he was the heir of Feuermann. His tone was not large, but was so keenly focused that it carried in concertos: he invented a type of bridge, the piece of wood through which the vibrations of the strings reach the instrument's body, that he felt increased the penetration of the tone.
Over the years he took part in several quartets and trios, but his most effective chamber music liaison was with his old friend Gyorgy Sebok, a superb pianist with whom he toured and recorded for more than a decade. Among works written for him were concertos by Dorati, Bernhard Heiden, Miklos Rozsa, Chou Wen-Chung, Juan Orrego-Salas and Robert Starer.Over the years he took part in several quartets and trios, but his most effective chamber music liaison was with his old friend Gyorgy Sebok, a superb pianist with whom he toured and recorded for more than a decade. Among works written for him were concertos by Dorati, Bernhard Heiden, Miklos Rozsa, Chou Wen-Chung, Juan Orrego-Salas and Robert Starer.
Starker's recordings include four complete cycles of Bach's Suites, four of Brahms's Sonatas and three of Beethoven's Sonatas. Kodály's solo Sonata was done five times. Of three versions of the Dvorak Concerto, the second, with Dorati, is particularly admired. A number of recorded recitals featured short pieces, some very difficult; a whole disc was devoted to Popper.Starker's recordings include four complete cycles of Bach's Suites, four of Brahms's Sonatas and three of Beethoven's Sonatas. Kodály's solo Sonata was done five times. Of three versions of the Dvorak Concerto, the second, with Dorati, is particularly admired. A number of recorded recitals featured short pieces, some very difficult; a whole disc was devoted to Popper.
Until 1946, Starker did not own a cello. For 15 years he borrowed the "Lord Aylesford" Strad, but in 1965 he acquired a Matteo Goffriller and later he also had an Andrea Guarneri.Until 1946, Starker did not own a cello. For 15 years he borrowed the "Lord Aylesford" Strad, but in 1965 he acquired a Matteo Goffriller and later he also had an Andrea Guarneri.
He was a great smoker, liked a glass of scotch and wrote readable, whimsical stories, some published in The World of Music According to Starker, others in Joyce Geeting's Janos Starker, King of Cellists (2008).He was a great smoker, liked a glass of scotch and wrote readable, whimsical stories, some published in The World of Music According to Starker, others in Joyce Geeting's Janos Starker, King of Cellists (2008).
His first marriage ended in divorce. He is survived by his second wife, Rae, a daughter from each of his marriages and three grandchildren.His first marriage ended in divorce. He is survived by his second wife, Rae, a daughter from each of his marriages and three grandchildren.
• János Starker, cellist, born 5 July 1924; died 28 April 2013• János Starker, cellist, born 5 July 1924; died 28 April 2013
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