Janos Starker Plays Italian Sonatas

In the nineteenth century, a number of virtuosos and teachers undertook the task of arranging for the cello hundreds of sonatas and suites written for violin or gamba in the previous century … the service rendered by enriching the playable repertory for the cello was immensely valuable. These works have served as ‘hors d’oeuvre’ for almost all cello recitals ever since. Personally, I have always been guided by a strong drive toward technical perfection. In fact this would only be true if one placed the beauty of dynamic extremes and touchingly communicative emotional display above the beauty of purity, simplicity, and balance. It demands self-imposed mature discipline, respect for the total concept of a work—and faultless execution. – Janos Starker