János Starker at the Kronberg Academy Interview – Part 1

János Starker reflects on his career and his views on child prodigies. He acknowledges that he was considered a child prodigy but emphasizes that he wasn’t exploited like many modern prodigies. He shares his belief in gradual, step-by-step development, criticizing the tendency to rush young prodigies, noting that many prodigies fade away by adulthood due to a lack of proper development. Starker recalls a pivotal moment in his career when, after a performance in Vienna, a critic’s comment likened his playing to “sleepwalking.” This spurred him to reevaluate his approach to music, focusing on understanding why certain technical or interpretative aspects weren’t working. Starker emphasizes that a true professional should be able to interpret the same piece in different ways while staying true to its essence.