JANOS Starker is a virtuoso cellist, stylistic visionary, inventor, mentor and lecturer - and age does not seem to weary him.
The rising 69-year-old is on tour, playing at the Cultural Centre on Friday, and has released six albums in the past two years.
The Hungarian emigre was a child prodigy but first came to international notice in the mid-1950s in New York when he recorded four of the six solo suites by Bach, setting new standards for performance and establishing his reputation as a soloist with particularly rich tonality.
As a touring performer, Starker has played in virtually every corner of the world, first appearing in Hongkong in 1960.
And because he also teaches music and has written extensively on the subject, the cellist is a much sought after mentor for up-and-coming players.
In conjunction with his concerts, Starker often holds seminars while out on the road.
He has also made a contribution to musical technology wi th the ''Starker Bridge'', an innovation which dramatically improves the quality of sound for stringed instruments.