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| Janos Starker: King of Cellists Joyce Geeting |
Music CDs from Cellist Joyce Geeting
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Review of Janos Starker: King of
Cellists by Joyce Geeting from
Triangle Magazine. A Journal of
Mu Phi Epsilon, music fraternity.
Cellists by Joyce Geeting from
Triangle Magazine. A Journal of
Mu Phi Epsilon, music fraternity.
| "János Starker, King of Cellists would well of other outstanding musicians." Midwest Book Review |
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Geeting tells the story.
story: false papers and temporary passports and dance music
bribery of Russian soldiers. Once in the United States, Starker was
hired by Fritz Reiner to play for the Metropolitan Opera.
each week plus rehearsals. Of that time in his life Starker later
said "Playing in the Met orchestra is the best method of
contraception there is. You're seldom at home, and when you are
home, you have nothing left. It is a job that requires the stamina of
a horse."
Another "story within a story" from Geeting: Fritz Reiner was
considered by many to be a tyrant. When a young horn player
made a mistake and played a wrong note at a Die Meistersinger
rehearsal, everyone knew that Reiner could not stand mistakes.
Reiner put up his glasses and asked, "What's the matter?" "Sorry,
Maestro, this is my first time playing Die Meistersinger." That was
the worst thing he could say to Reiner.
At that point there was dead silence in the hall. After a few
moments Reiner said, "You say you are playing Die Meistersinger
for the first time?" "Yes," came the answer from the lad. "My God,
what a joy it must be to hear Die Meistersinger for the very first
time! Start at number fourteen." For János Starker, playing for
Reiner for nine years "was a stunning, memorable experience".
In János Starker, "King of Cellists", Joyce Geeting has treated us
to many stories: the story of child prodigy, the story of a
musician's survival of the war, of life as an opera and symphony
musician, of life as a traveling concert artist, and of prime
importance to Starker—the story of life as a teacher. After the
tragedies of war to Starker's family and the musical population in
Hungary, "Those of us who stayed alive feel that this is more than
just a way of living....It is the duty of those who had learned music
from the "giants" of the world of music to see that....the line of
influence continues...."
János Starker is a master teacher with a gift to be able to analyze
and express verbally physical aspects of musical performance.
To read his advice to musicians, including even to musicians
other than cellists, is mind-opening. This alone would make the
purchase and reading of this book worthwhile!
Joyce Geeting, D.M.A., is herself a gifted artist and teacher. She
is a member of the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter, and joined Mu
Phi Epsilon as a junior at the University of Washington, Tau
Chapter. She has concertized throughout the United States and
Europe and currently teaches at California Lutheran University
where she is director of the Conservatory of Music. Her Doctorate
of Musical Arts degree in cello pedagogy and performance is from
the University of Oregon and she is a protégé of János Starker.
story: false papers and temporary passports and dance music
bribery of Russian soldiers. Once in the United States, Starker was
hired by Fritz Reiner to play for the Metropolitan Opera.
each week plus rehearsals. Of that time in his life Starker later
said "Playing in the Met orchestra is the best method of
contraception there is. You're seldom at home, and when you are
home, you have nothing left. It is a job that requires the stamina of
a horse."
Another "story within a story" from Geeting: Fritz Reiner was
considered by many to be a tyrant. When a young horn player
made a mistake and played a wrong note at a Die Meistersinger
rehearsal, everyone knew that Reiner could not stand mistakes.
Reiner put up his glasses and asked, "What's the matter?" "Sorry,
Maestro, this is my first time playing Die Meistersinger." That was
the worst thing he could say to Reiner.
At that point there was dead silence in the hall. After a few
moments Reiner said, "You say you are playing Die Meistersinger
for the first time?" "Yes," came the answer from the lad. "My God,
what a joy it must be to hear Die Meistersinger for the very first
time! Start at number fourteen." For János Starker, playing for
Reiner for nine years "was a stunning, memorable experience".
In János Starker, "King of Cellists", Joyce Geeting has treated us
to many stories: the story of child prodigy, the story of a
musician's survival of the war, of life as an opera and symphony
musician, of life as a traveling concert artist, and of prime
importance to Starker—the story of life as a teacher. After the
tragedies of war to Starker's family and the musical population in
Hungary, "Those of us who stayed alive feel that this is more than
just a way of living....It is the duty of those who had learned music
from the "giants" of the world of music to see that....the line of
influence continues...."
János Starker is a master teacher with a gift to be able to analyze
and express verbally physical aspects of musical performance.
To read his advice to musicians, including even to musicians
other than cellists, is mind-opening. This alone would make the
purchase and reading of this book worthwhile!
Joyce Geeting, D.M.A., is herself a gifted artist and teacher. She
is a member of the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter, and joined Mu
Phi Epsilon as a junior at the University of Washington, Tau
Chapter. She has concertized throughout the United States and
Europe and currently teaches at California Lutheran University
where she is director of the Conservatory of Music. Her Doctorate
of Musical Arts degree in cello pedagogy and performance is from
the University of Oregon and she is a protégé of János Starker.
About Joyce Geeting
Cellist Joyce Geeting has performed many concerts throughout the United States and Europe as soloist and chamber
musician, often featured on radio or television. Most recently she performed in Salzburg, Austria in the new concert
hall of the Mozarteum, which overlooks the Mirabel Gardens.
The work performed, "Body Notes", is newly composed complete with video by pianist Dr. Hector Rasgado Flores,
description of human physiology and the life experience. This cello-piano duo looks forward to performances in Japan,
Germany, Mexico, Venezuela, in Chicago and Minneapolis and Los Angeles in the United States.
Ms. Geeting has served on the faculties of the University of Wisconsin, Cornell College and the University of Redlands
cellists in their musical development. She has many award-winning students as well as former students who are
professionals on three continents.
Although a protégé of the great cellist János Starker, who calls her his colleague, she holds a doctorate degree from the
University of Oregon in cello pedagogy and performance. She met him when she was researching for her dissertation.
Joyce plays a 220-year-old cello made by John Edward Betts, Royal London Exchange, "with an extraordinarily exquisite
tone." (Oregon Statesman) "Exquisite tone also describes Joyce's playing, which is dynamic, sensitive and emotionally
powerful." (Carol Worthey)
Cellist Joyce Geeting has performed many concerts throughout the United States and Europe as soloist and chamber
musician, often featured on radio or television. Most recently she performed in Salzburg, Austria in the new concert
hall of the Mozarteum, which overlooks the Mirabel Gardens.
The work performed, "Body Notes", is newly composed complete with video by pianist Dr. Hector Rasgado Flores,
description of human physiology and the life experience. This cello-piano duo looks forward to performances in Japan,
Germany, Mexico, Venezuela, in Chicago and Minneapolis and Los Angeles in the United States.
Ms. Geeting has served on the faculties of the University of Wisconsin, Cornell College and the University of Redlands
cellists in their musical development. She has many award-winning students as well as former students who are
professionals on three continents.
Although a protégé of the great cellist János Starker, who calls her his colleague, she holds a doctorate degree from the
University of Oregon in cello pedagogy and performance. She met him when she was researching for her dissertation.
Joyce plays a 220-year-old cello made by John Edward Betts, Royal London Exchange, "with an extraordinarily exquisite
tone." (Oregon Statesman) "Exquisite tone also describes Joyce's playing, which is dynamic, sensitive and emotionally
powerful." (Carol Worthey)
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the greatest impact on the world of cello playing and teaching in the twentieth century".
teacher. But this is not just lessons of life learned and taught by Starker, but lessons
applicable to anyone in any profession, and lessons particularly apropos to all of us of all
ages living in the world of today.
As we read about János Starker's early life, many intertwined stories begin to unfold. What
was education like in pre-war Hungary? How was a musical child prodigy trained? In later life
Starker answered: "Why do people become cellists in the first place?
Mostly by coincidence. If the firstborn plays the piano or violin, parental passion for variety
assigns a cello to the youngest one—which is usually the case, I'd go so far as to say. Since
the littlest one is typically given more attention by elders and is thereby spoiled excessively,
he or she grows up believing that the louder you cry the more you get."
teacher. But this is not just lessons of life learned and taught by Starker, but lessons
applicable to anyone in any profession, and lessons particularly apropos to all of us of all
ages living in the world of today.
As we read about János Starker's early life, many intertwined stories begin to unfold. What
was education like in pre-war Hungary? How was a musical child prodigy trained? In later life
Starker answered: "Why do people become cellists in the first place?
Mostly by coincidence. If the firstborn plays the piano or violin, parental passion for variety
assigns a cello to the youngest one—which is usually the case, I'd go so far as to say. Since
the littlest one is typically given more attention by elders and is thereby spoiled excessively,
he or she grows up believing that the louder you cry the more you get."
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| Listen to four Sample's Spanish Cello Music CD. |
| or her Soul Stirring music CD. |
