In 1929, when the concert pianist Emil von Sauer was advanced in age, he traveled to Budapest. While there, he listened to a gifted 16-year-old pianist. After the performance, von Sauer walked over to him and kissed him on the forehead. He said, "My son, when I was your age I became a student of Liszt. He kissed me on the forehead after my first lesson, saying, 'Take good care of this kiss, it comes from Beethoven, who gave it to me after hearing me play.' I have waited for years to pass on this sacred heritage but now I feel you deserve it." The boy was Andor Foldes who became one of the greatest classical pianists of the twentieth century. - From an e-mail sent out by PreachingIllustrations.com, 7/26/11 |