AHF Cultural News: Janos Starker

JANOS STARKER, FAMED HUNGARIAN CELLIST DIES AT 88

Janos Starker, world-famous Hungarian cellist died Sunday, April 28 at Bloomington, Indiana.  He was 88.  For decades, Starker was a one of the most sought-after cellists in the world.  He was venerated as an interpreter of Bach; he received a Grammy for the 1997 recording of Bach's solo cello suites.  Years earlier, in 1940's, he received a prestigious French award, the Grand Prix due Disque, for his recording of Zoltan Kodaly's Sonata for Solo Cello.  Starker recorded more than 165 works.

He was a child prodigy, he began his studies at age 6 and by age 8 he was giving lessons to younger children.  His teachers at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music included Leo Weiner, Erno Dohnanyi, and Bela Bartok.  He gave his first solo recital at age 14, and at 15 became a member of the Budapest Opera and the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra; after the war he was named principal cellist of those organizations.  He left Hungary and came to the United States in 1948 and served as principal cellist of the Dallas Symphony, under Antal Dorati, and principal cellist of the Metropolitan Opera and the Chicago Symphony under Fritz Reiner.  Starker had celebrated feuds over musical matters with another Hungarian musical giant, Eugene Ormandy, and with Herbert von Karajan.  In 1958 he moved to Bloomington, Indiana where he settled for the rest of his life, and became professor of music at Indiana University.  In addition to his teaching, he gave over 100 concerts annually.

At the peak of his career, he drew comparisons to cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.  Washington music critic Lon Tuck wrote:  "Their contrasting styles are almost musical mirror images of the men's personalities.  Rostropovich - open, ebullient, restless and romantic.  Starker -- aloof, sober, controlled and classical."

Starker had concerti written for him by Antal Dorati, Jean Martinon, Miklos Rozsa and others.  His autobiography, "The World of Music According to Starker," was published in 2004. 

Zoltan Bagdy, Chairman, AHF Cultural Committee

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