He was a wonderful musician and teacher and left our world far too soon. When I think of my 3 brief semesters under his instruction – at Indiana University (1974–75) and in Wien (1979) – I recall his warm, generous spirit and particularly his sense of humour...

... My fondest story I share with students is Mr. Graf’s cooking analogies: “One must more rigorously stir things on the front burner, while occasionally tending to those on the back burner, attempting to complete everything together.”

And: “Rather than cooking water slowly to get hot, one must turn the burner on high to reach the boiling point.” This was a helpful insight regarding my lack of diligence, ever so gently conveyed by Herr Graf. I have never forgotten it.