Starker at 100: Hye-Ri Jang remembers cellist János Starker

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I studied with Mr Starker for my doctoral degree at Indiana University, and was his student from 2006 until he passed away. I became his assistant in 2007.

He had a very small studio – no more than ten students, and even fewer in his late years – but any music students from the school could come and observe his lessons. In my first year I thought it would be helpful to see only good students’ lessons. But I learnt later that it was very instructive to watch how he fixed problems of students who were struggling.

He had specific lines that he used frequently in lessons. He had a sign in his studio that said ‘Not at the frog’, and another with the words ‘One finger at a time’ (for the left hand). So he would always just point to the signs, because otherwise he had to repeat the same things over and over. He demonstrated a lot – that was a big part of his lessons. He would teach three hours a day, and I would sit in on all his lessons.

In his final years he couldn’t come to the school, but he still taught at his house. I used to drive students there – it was only five minutes away from the school. The students would have their lessons, and I might stay on afterwards to talk over Mr Starker’s schedule, or chat with his wife, who I called Mama-san (he was Papa-san), and perhaps have dinner.

It’s very difficult not to recall Mr Starker in the lessons I give. I learnt almost everything I’m teaching to my students now from him. They tell me that whenever I say Mr Starker’s name, I suddenly brighten up, and they see that I’m really happy.

INTERVIEW BY PETER SOMERFORD

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