Janos Starker was a Hungarian-American cellist who was born on July 5, 1924, in Budapest, Hungary. He began studying the cello at the age of six with his father, a talented violinist and conductor, and went on to study at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest.
Starker made his debut at the age of 14 and quickly gained a reputation as a prodigious cellist. He went on to perform with leading orchestras around the world and collaborated with prominent conductors such as Fritz Reiner and Leonard Bernstein.
Starker was particularly admired for his technical virtuosity and his ability to bring out the unique character of the music he played. He was known for his interpretations of works by Bach, Beethoven, and Bartok, and his recording of Bach’s six suites for solo cello is considered a masterpiece.
In addition to his performing career, Starker was a respected teacher and held teaching positions at several music conservatories, including the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he taught for over 50 years. His students included notable cellists such as Gary Hoffman and Alisa Weilerstein.
Starker was also a prolific author and published several influential books on cello technique and performance, including “An Organized Method of String Playing” and “The Art of Cello Playing.”
Janos Starker passed away on April 28, 2013, in Bloomington, Indiana. He is remembered as one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century, and his legacy as a performer, teacher, and writer continues to inspire cellists and music lovers around the w