Notes and Editorial Reviews
Janos Starker is one of the greatest educators, recording artists, and technicians that his instrument has ever known. This collection, made up of recordings made between 1964 and 1967, offers only the slightest cross-section of Starker's considerable technique and artistry. Starker's playing, especially from this period, is sometimes characterized as being more technical than musical, focusing more on the execution than the music itself. Even if that were completely true, it would not detract from the enjoyment of this collection. This recording of Bach's Fifth Suite is indeed more rigid than others Starker made later in his life, but the precision heard here is still quite remarkable. Other works on the album that qualify more as
Read more
"show pieces" truly give Starker an opportunity to shine. The fiendishly difficult Locatelli sonata is tossed off with unbelievable ease and aplomb. The Chopin Introduction and Polonaise and the Martinu Variations on a Theme of Rossini are likewise done in such a way as to make it seem that Starker could execute them in his sleep. Perhaps the biggest treat on the collection, however, is the Debussy sonata with pianist György Sebök. Not only is it technically flawless, but also quite sensitive and musically satisfying. This album is worthwhile for the Debussy alone.
-- Mike D. Brownell, All Music Guide
Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Sonata for Cello and Harpsichord in D major by Pietro Antonio Locatelli
Performer:
János Starker (Cello),
Stephen Swedish (Piano)
Period: Baroque
Written: 18th Century; Italy
Length: 14 Minutes 0 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Alfredo Piatti.
2.
Sonata for Cello and Piano no 2 in F major, Op. 99 by Johannes Brahms
Performer:
György Sebok (Piano),
János Starker (Cello)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1886; Austria
Length: 27 Minutes 33 Secs.
3.
Variations Concertantes for Cello and Piano, Op. 17 by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
György Sebok (Piano),
János Starker (Cello)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1829; Germany
Length: 7 Minutes 49 Secs.
4.
Kol Nidrei for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 47 by Max Bruch
Performer:
János Starker (Cello)
Conductor:
Antal Doráti
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1881; Liverpool, England
Length: 9 Minutes 56 Secs.
5.
Concerto for Cello no 1 in A minor, Op. 33 by Camille Saint-Saëns
Performer:
János Starker (Cello)
Conductor:
Antal Doráti
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1872; France
Length: 18 Minutes 38 Secs.
6.
Variations for Cello and Orchestra on a Rococo theme, Op. 33 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
János Starker (Cello)
Conductor:
Antal Doráti
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1876; Russia
Length: 15 Minutes 46 Secs.
7.
Sonata for Cello and Piano by Claude Debussy
Performer:
György Sebok (Piano),
János Starker (Cello)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1915; France
Length: 10 Minutes 47 Secs.
8.
Variations on a theme of Rossini for Cello and Piano by Bohuslav Martinu
Performer:
János Starker (Cello),
György Sebok (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1942; USA
Length: 7 Minutes 32 Secs.
9.
Wedding Dance, Op. 21 by Leó Weiner
Performer:
György Sebok (Piano),
János Starker (Cello)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1936; Hungary
Length: 3 Minutes 43 Secs.
10.
Introduction and Polonaise for Cello and Piano in C major, Op. 3 by Frédéric Chopin
Performer:
János Starker (Cello),
György Sebok (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1829-1830; Poland
Length: 8 Minutes 41 Secs.
Notes: Arranger: Auguste Franchomme.
11.
Suite for Cello solo no 5 in C minor, BWV 1011 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
János Starker (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: circa 1720; Cöthen, Germany
Length: 22 Minutes 34 Secs.
Featured Sound Samples
Rococo Variations (Tchaikovsky)
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 1 Customer Review )
Amazing Janos Starker April 3, 2012
By Glen L. Carroll (Seattle, WA) See All My Reviews
"I have several CDs and LPs which feature Janos Starker, but none of them exceed the "Perspectives" CD of Janos Starker. The recording is surprisingly of good quality considering the age of the original recording. Starker has always been one of the top cellists in history, albeit he does at times seem to lack passion, however, he more than makes up for that by his unexcelled technical abilities. This is an excellent purchase, especially considering that you get 2 CDs of many of Starker's many recordings."
Report Abuse
Review This Title
