Customer Reviews

Starker plays Kodaly

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is truly one of the greatest recordings of all time, precisely because Starker plays the Kodaly like Kodaly - not like Brahms. It's a vicious, bleak piece. Ma's recording is dramatic and flowery and ornamented - and sounds like everything else he does. Pick up this Starker disc - leave Yo-Yo to his Tchaikovsky.

I heard Starker perform this live in Sacramento, CA, about 40 years ago. This recording is exquisite. Although Starker's rendition of the Kodaly has its unfavorable critics, it must be noted that Starker played the work for the composer--the first time when Starker was about 15. His final performance for Kodaly was shortly before the composer's death. On that occasion, Kodaly himself stated that Starker's performance, except for one small ritard, was the "Bible performance".

You can't do much better than a recommendation by the composer himself!

After hearing this recording, nothing else can measure up. Starker cuts straight to the heart of this masterpiece and creates absolutely unforgettable music. This version also includes the variations which were cut in the last movement in his earlier recordings. Every cellist and serious music lover should have this recording. The other two pieces are also given fine performances (including some real jaw-droppers in the Paganini). Buy this.

Starker's rendering is the greatest recorded performance of Kodaly's masterwork. You either know that or you should know that. If I live to see the piece or its performance rivaled, I'll be a lucky man. Buy it now, and for God's sake forget Yo-yo's recording...

This Delos CD features Starker's 1970 version of the Kodaly Op. 8 Sonata (recorded in Japan, originally for Star Records). I agree with the other reviewers; it's a marvelous performance in its way. But I don't consider it the equal of his 1956 EMI/Angel LP version, or of his greatest studio performance of the work: the 1950 version made for Period Records. In those earlier recordings (especially the Period), the technique and intonation are effortless and flawless (astonishing in fact) and there's greater sheer energy in the last movement. Starker was 46 at the time of this recording and while that's of course not "old", I think it "took a bit out of him" so to speak, at least toward the latter portions of the piece; I'm sure it must be an exhausting work to perform. I have the Saga and Period label pressings of the early recording and also I have the Angel version and would be happy to lend these to anyone who's never heard them.

Starker's virtuosity at the time of this recording was truly unparalleled. There are passages in both the Kodaly works here that have tortured the best cellists in the world for almost a century, but he rips through them with incredible ease and grace.

Unfortunately, his playing is extremely dry. The first movement of the solo sonata is lacking in the appassionata element that can make it so powerful, the rubato in the second seems too carefully calculated, and the third movement is raced through somewhat pedantically. In the duo, when there are special moments, it seems to always be Gingold who creates them.

This disc absolutely deserves 5 Stars, as a testament to perhaps the most perfect cello technique in history on perhaps the most difficult standard-rep cello piece ever written. But don't expect to have any kind of emotional reaction to the solo sonata (except for perhaps awe at the virtuosity). For a technical performance of the solo sonata that almost matches this has but a far more impassioned feel, Starker's old student Maria Kliegel has a recording on Naxos that I enjoy somewhat more than this disc.

Frankly, phenomenal is the only word. If you are not used to Kodaly you might have to listen to this twice to hear the actual music, because the first time I listened to it I could only focus on Starker's technique. Is it really possible to play like this?

This is an electrifying recording. Both the solo sonata (Starker alone) and the duo (with Gingold) are string playing at its most exciting.

How can a cd be this good? Powerful playing. Awesome articulation. Kodaly has never been represented better. Do yourself a favor and buy anything that has Janos Starker on it. Starker, Rostropovich, Casals, Du Pre. That's the order of virtuosity in my opinion. I have over 500 classical cd's, and this is one of the best.

It's not really music. It is art. If you could hear a painting, it would sound thus. Add to that the fact that this is a dark, complex, brutal, at times threatening artwork and you begin to understand the transcendent quality of this piece. One of the most passionate works I have ever had the pleasure to hear. Starker executes it with finesse, sharp control, and exquisite emotion. I was completely blow away. At points, I caught my breath and closed my eyes at the purity of feeling it evokes.