János Starker

Janos Starker earned acclaim as a leading virtuoso cellist throughout the twentieth century, sustaining a professional trajectory that extended beyond five decades. He placed particular value on his command of technique, distinctive playing approach, and penetrating musical insight. He interpreted compositions by David Baker, Antal Dorati, Bernard Heiden, Jean Martinon, Miklos Rozsa, and Robert Starer, among others. He collaborated with every major orchestra, performed recitals and concerts across all continents, and appeared frequently on radio and television while committing more than 150 works to disc.

Born in Budapest in 1924, Starker began cello studies at age six and commenced teaching at eight; his first public performance took place in 1934. He departed Hungary at twenty-two and received the Grand Prix du Disque for his interpretation of the Kodaly Solo Sonata. In 1948 Antal Dorati invited him to the United States as principal cellist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. That engagement prompted Fritz Reiner to engage him with the Metropolitan Opera, which in turn led to his appointment with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. During his tenure at the Metropolitan Opera, Starker made his initial recording of the Solo Suites of Bach for the Period Records label. In 1957 he captured all six Bach suites, setting fresh benchmarks for such recordings.

In 1958 Starker elected to concentrate on a solo career that also encompassed pedagogy. He joined Indiana University’s School of Music as Distinguished Professor, where his international reputation drew string players from every region of the globe. His instructional work comprised master classes, string seminars, lectures, and demonstrations.

Beyond teaching and recording, Starker prepared editions of numerous cello compositions by Bach, Schubert, Bottermund, Beethoven, and Dvorak. He issued his own cadenzas and contributed many articles to periodicals. His most notable innovation was the Starker Bridge, an apparatus that augments both the quality and volume of tone produced by stringed instruments. He documented efficient string-playing principles in the volume An Organized Method of String Playing for Cello (with a parallel edition for bass) and supplied a further pedagogical resource through the recording The Road to Cello Playing.

In 1991 Starker concluded an exclusive agreement with BMG/RCA Red Seal and recorded Brahms Sonatas for Cello and Piano, Martinu Cello Sonatas, and Strauss Till Eulenspiegel/Don Quixote, Op. 35. He earned a Grammy nomination in 1990 for his tribute to Czech cellist and composer David Popper. He also released the album Elgar and Walton Concertos with Leonard Slatkin and the Philharmonia Orchestra. His schedule remained devoted to touring, recording, and work in his studio on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington.