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| Reviews of Joyce Geeting's Janos Starker: King of Cellists |
| Janos Starker: King of Cellists Joyce Geeting |
Music CDs from Cellist Joyce Geeting
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| Review from monthly issue of 'Overture' Musicians' Union newsletter |
"To say that Janos Starker is a cellist is like saying Michelangelo is a stonecutter." So states
lifelong friend and fellow Hungarian George Lang in Joyce Geeting's recently issued book,
"Janos Starker, 'King of Cellists,' The Making of an Artist" (Chamber Music Plus Publishing).
"The Good Lord," Lang goes on to explain, "on occasion takes a few pounds of minerals,
qualities.
To me, the process of creating a great performer, such as Janos, is most mysterious.
"Geeting shares such observations in generous profusion. She thoroughly explores the
mystery that is Starker through conversations with colleagues and former students. When
one is done sifting through the pages, that mystery may not have been solved, but light cast
upon the man surely has clarified his genius as practitioner and teacher.
Harold Lawrence, as editor and producer for Mercury Recordings, watched how, in the
studio, Starker could turn in an instant from being a "vivid raconteur" who "loves nothing
better than to engage in a lively exchange of ideas on politics and contemporary literature" to
"the intensely concentrated performer."
lifelong friend and fellow Hungarian George Lang in Joyce Geeting's recently issued book,
"Janos Starker, 'King of Cellists,' The Making of an Artist" (Chamber Music Plus Publishing).
"The Good Lord," Lang goes on to explain, "on occasion takes a few pounds of minerals,
qualities.
To me, the process of creating a great performer, such as Janos, is most mysterious.
"Geeting shares such observations in generous profusion. She thoroughly explores the
mystery that is Starker through conversations with colleagues and former students. When
one is done sifting through the pages, that mystery may not have been solved, but light cast
upon the man surely has clarified his genius as practitioner and teacher.
Harold Lawrence, as editor and producer for Mercury Recordings, watched how, in the
studio, Starker could turn in an instant from being a "vivid raconteur" who "loves nothing
better than to engage in a lively exchange of ideas on politics and contemporary literature" to
"the intensely concentrated performer."
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| Review by Peter Jacobi Times, Blloomington Indiana |
| serve as a template for similar biographies of other outstanding musicians." Midwest Book Review |
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Review by Chuck Baker
Editor and Publisher of the Veterans Reporter Newspaper, Las Vegas, Nevada
I don't know how many musicians there are in each category of instrument, but I would venture to say that the number
of cellists pales compared to guitar strummers, piano plunkers, drum beaters and violin scratchers. Still, those who
play the cello and those who love the sound are dedicated and honest in their art. Starker is said to have made the
greatest impact on the world of cello playing in the history of the instrument. Known as a private man, he touched the
lives of cellists worldwide, and taught thousands of students. In addition to Geeting's writings, Starker and others
contributed to the tome.
One example of Starker's comments: "There was a class of music aesthetics in the Franz Liszt Academy where I
received my music education. The teacher was dry and boring, so I dropped the class. At the age of fifteen I dropped
out of the Academy when my cello teacher retired and the political winds were against people like myself. I never
graduated but was celebrated moderately, first as a prodigy, then as a professional. However, I continuted to learn
from chamber music teachers, private tutors, composers and the like. Some taught me to hear, some stressed the
sanctity of the composer's wishes, some stressed individuality but with discipline."
A great book of musical history and biography.
Editor and Publisher of the Veterans Reporter Newspaper, Las Vegas, Nevada
I don't know how many musicians there are in each category of instrument, but I would venture to say that the number
of cellists pales compared to guitar strummers, piano plunkers, drum beaters and violin scratchers. Still, those who
play the cello and those who love the sound are dedicated and honest in their art. Starker is said to have made the
greatest impact on the world of cello playing in the history of the instrument. Known as a private man, he touched the
lives of cellists worldwide, and taught thousands of students. In addition to Geeting's writings, Starker and others
contributed to the tome.
One example of Starker's comments: "There was a class of music aesthetics in the Franz Liszt Academy where I
received my music education. The teacher was dry and boring, so I dropped the class. At the age of fifteen I dropped
out of the Academy when my cello teacher retired and the political winds were against people like myself. I never
graduated but was celebrated moderately, first as a prodigy, then as a professional. However, I continuted to learn
from chamber music teachers, private tutors, composers and the like. Some taught me to hear, some stressed the
sanctity of the composer's wishes, some stressed individuality but with discipline."
A great book of musical history and biography.
conveys "concepts based on immutable principles" and demands
"the best and most from his students.
They work to their limit and more." She quotes him: "The teacher
is supposed to set unreasonable goals, but only for those who
are able to handle lifelong frustrations and the brutality of a public
career."
Those of you who read Starker's own memoir, "The World of
Music According to Starker," published in 2004 by Indiana
University Press and still available, know that the musician is a
perceptive and engaging writer. Well, Starker stories and essays
are sprinkled through Geeting's book, too, thereby adding to the
benefits a reader gains while partaking of this intriguing package.
"the best and most from his students.
They work to their limit and more." She quotes him: "The teacher
is supposed to set unreasonable goals, but only for those who
are able to handle lifelong frustrations and the brutality of a public
career."
Those of you who read Starker's own memoir, "The World of
Music According to Starker," published in 2004 by Indiana
University Press and still available, know that the musician is a
perceptive and engaging writer. Well, Starker stories and essays
are sprinkled through Geeting's book, too, thereby adding to the
benefits a reader gains while partaking of this intriguing package.
János Starker made the greatest impacts on the world of cello had
cellists who in turn have taught thousands more.
As performer, recording artist and teacher, Starker has set the
standards of excellence and raised the bar so high, we all must
reach for the sky. This very private man touched the lives of cellists
all over the world, teaching thousands of students and reaching
millions of music lovers with his sterling performances and
recordings.
"János Starker: King of Cellists — The Making of an Artist," written
by Local 47 cellist Joyce Geeting, comes from the standpoint of
one who has studied the man and his music to discover the
influences that shaped who he is, a fantastic cellist and teacher of
the instrument, one who has made an indelible imprint on the world
of music.
The book explores the great impact on the world of music made in
the early 1900's by some of the giants such as Bartok, Kodaly,
Dohnanyi, Enescu, Weiner, Casals, Huberman and Popper. Starker
and others of his generation absorbed it all, and after World War II
took leadership positions in music throughout the United States
and Europe. Coupled with testimonies of lifelong friends and
students as well as a few of his own revealing stories, "János
Starker: King of Cellists" is a must on the bookshelf of every cellist,
professional musician, and music lover!
cellists who in turn have taught thousands more.
As performer, recording artist and teacher, Starker has set the
standards of excellence and raised the bar so high, we all must
reach for the sky. This very private man touched the lives of cellists
all over the world, teaching thousands of students and reaching
millions of music lovers with his sterling performances and
recordings.
"János Starker: King of Cellists — The Making of an Artist," written
by Local 47 cellist Joyce Geeting, comes from the standpoint of
one who has studied the man and his music to discover the
influences that shaped who he is, a fantastic cellist and teacher of
the instrument, one who has made an indelible imprint on the world
of music.
The book explores the great impact on the world of music made in
the early 1900's by some of the giants such as Bartok, Kodaly,
Dohnanyi, Enescu, Weiner, Casals, Huberman and Popper. Starker
and others of his generation absorbed it all, and after World War II
took leadership positions in music throughout the United States
and Europe. Coupled with testimonies of lifelong friends and
students as well as a few of his own revealing stories, "János
Starker: King of Cellists" is a must on the bookshelf of every cellist,
professional musician, and music lover!
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