I had the honor to be Janos Starker's regular recital pianist for many years, and this performance by Gary Hoffman is on a level that proves he carries on the great legacy of Mr. Starker! I will have the privilege of sharing the stage with Mr. Hoffman in August in Italy and it will be one of the highlights of my artistic life. Any cellist should listen to this performance and know that THIS is the way one makes great music!
I am always completely awed by this man's artistry, presence, and heart. Had the honor of meeting him a couple of years ago, and he was as kind to the students in the master class as one could hope for. A consummate artist.
It was the 75th birthday tribute to Mr. Starker ( Janos) in Bloomington IN. The kids are from Indiana University where the celebration was held and where Starker taught for 40 years. Gary was my classmate in Starker's class and he truly plays this beautifully. I was fortunately there to hear it live.
Gary, life of musician isn't easy and how lucky we are that you never gave up? You mastered cello remembering that your playing is only a vehicle to the heart, it is not the heart itself. You are genuine and the complexity of your interpretations gives us a glimpse into what might be happening in your head when you're not performing. Truly hope to learn from you, maestro.
He studied with Starker. Hoffman was my introduction to the Elgar concerto when i was very young and i was blown away both by the piece and by his rendition. Years later I attended the world cello congress at Indiana University (1986?) and among the performances (Jeffrey Solow, Anner Bylsma etc) Hoffman's clearly stood out. He has all the ingrediants of stardom including a powerful live presence but for whatever reason it appears his deserved fame has eluded him.
One of the best (if not *the* best) interpretations of Kol Nidrei, IMHO. Especially the beginning and the very first note is hauntingly beautiful. Thanks for uploading this masterpiece!
A very intimate version, his sound and relaxation is a magnificent lesson for us cellists. I have just one personal critic: He cares so much for the purity of sound that sometimes he lacks contrasts when it is required. Anyway he´s one of the greatest.
Yes it is a truly wonderul performance, by virtue of the sincerity of almost understatement, besides the beauty of tone, pace and phrasing, and overall such reverent musicianship
Thanks for the reply! Couldn't come at a better time (Yom Kippur arriving tomorrow evening!) So glad to be reminded of this performance at this time: will send a link to all my friends!!
Thank, for correction. I did not want to offend my idol. He is cellist with an ideal sound. He very clever artist. I hope, my children who study music, sometime will understand it. Yours faithfully!
I can surely see, or rather hear, why you surmise it is Rose's cello. I thought I knew cellists pretty well, but had never heard of Hofman!! That's all changed now. I'll seek him and his recordings out.
Please tell us more about this recording. Where, when, and how is it a tribute to Starker? Who are the kids in the orchestra? I don't think Hofman has to worry about being under the baton of Rostropovitch, and Rostropovitch knows it. The piece is a rhapsody on a cantorial chant for Yom Kippur, and Hofman plays the words!
Exquisite phrasing and tone -- one of the finest performances of this piece.
I had the honor to be Janos Starker's regular recital pianist for many years, and this performance by Gary Hoffman is on a level that proves he carries on the great legacy of Mr. Starker! I will have the privilege of sharing the stage with Mr. Hoffman in August in Italy and it will be one of the highlights of my artistic life. Any cellist should listen to this performance and know that THIS is the way one makes great music!
+stephen swedish :)
Loved you on the Italian Sonatas album!
I am always completely awed by this man's artistry, presence, and heart. Had the honor of meeting him a couple of years ago, and he was as kind to the students in the master class as one could hope for. A consummate artist.
My Lord. This performance proves the true existence of divinity.
It was the 75th birthday tribute to Mr. Starker ( Janos) in Bloomington IN. The kids are from Indiana University where the celebration was held and where Starker taught for 40 years. Gary was my classmate in Starker's class and he truly plays this beautifully. I was fortunately there to hear it live.
Gary, life of musician isn't easy and how lucky we are that you never gave up? You mastered cello remembering that your playing is only a vehicle to the heart, it is not the heart itself. You are genuine and the complexity of your interpretations gives us a glimpse into what might be happening in your head when you're not performing. Truly hope to learn from you, maestro.
He studied with Starker. Hoffman was my introduction to the Elgar concerto when i was very young and i was blown away both by the piece and by his rendition. Years later I attended the world cello congress at Indiana University (1986?) and among the performances (Jeffrey Solow, Anner Bylsma etc) Hoffman's clearly stood out. He has all the ingrediants of stardom including a powerful live presence but for whatever reason it appears his deserved fame has eluded him.
He is unbelievable, one of the best living cellists. I have been waiting this video for a long time, thank you for sharing.
Unbelievable and beautiful. Effortless... and simple.. So nice..
Thanks for sharing
Greatest artist! Great performance!
Deep and spiritual interpretation.
He makes me weep.
This is magic.. I love it. Wonderful cellist... Such a beauty this music 🎵❤️❤️
One of the best (if not *the* best) interpretations of Kol Nidrei, IMHO. Especially the beginning and the very first note is hauntingly beautiful. Thanks for uploading this masterpiece!
A very intimate version, his sound and relaxation is a magnificent lesson for us cellists. I have just one personal critic: He cares so much for the purity of sound that sometimes he lacks contrasts when it is required. Anyway he´s one of the greatest.
Yes it is a truly wonderul performance, by virtue of the sincerity of almost understatement, besides the beauty of tone, pace and phrasing, and overall such reverent musicianship
That must be Rose's Amati...priceless tone. Ive had the pleasure of seeing Hoffman perform a handful of times. He deserves to be better known.
One of the best cellists... Beautiful
Thanks for the reply! Couldn't come at a better time (Yom Kippur arriving tomorrow evening!) So glad to be reminded of this performance at this time: will send a link to all my friends!!
Thank, for correction.
I did not want to offend my idol.
He is cellist with an ideal sound. He very clever artist.
I hope, my children who study music, sometime will understand it.
Yours faithfully!
thank you for posting this :)
He s Leonard Rose's nephew........So much talent in the one family !.....
I can surely see, or rather hear, why you surmise it is Rose's cello. I thought I knew cellists pretty well, but had never heard of Hofman!! That's all changed now. I'll seek him and his recordings out.
Amazing performance...is nobody going to point out that Mona Lisa was covering bassoon at 1:00?
Simply Beautiful ....
Quelle éloquence! Les paroles semblent s'échapper du violoncelle.
It's interesting to see Rostropovich conducting in such a special circumstance
saltag I don't know who you are, but you're always in the comments section of all the cello's videos (especially with Isserlis) !
Yeah man
Great
Please tell us more about this recording. Where, when, and how is it a tribute to Starker?
Who are the kids in the orchestra? I don't think Hofman has to worry about being under the baton of Rostropovitch, and Rostropovitch knows it. The piece is a rhapsody on a cantorial chant for Yom Kippur, and Hofman plays the words!
Gary Hoffman in honour of Janos Starker (not Janosh, although pronounced that way!)
Even though Mr. Hoffman is a real artist and master, I wonder if it was intimidating for him to be under the baton of Rostropovich!
and by the way his name is gary, not garry ;)
And did you mean in honor of Janos?
And is Janos, not Janosh
I envy you people able to enjoy this without being bothered by the AWFUL quality of this recording. Performance is great but sound is terrible.
Yeah I'm really straining to hear the sound! Tried looking for an actual recording of this Bruch by Hoffman but none to be found...