In memory of Professor Graf

While I was studying abroad in Vienna, I shined the brightest in my life when I was under the guidance of Professor Graf.

Sakiko Muraoka und Hans Graf

At that time, I had chances to travel with Prof. and Mrs. Graf for several countries.
1) Beethoven Festival Summer School held at the University of Bonn in Germany. When I arrived in Bonn from Vienna, Prof. and Mrs. Graf came to meet me at the station platform.
2) To attend a summer school held in Oporto in the northwestern part of Portugal, Prof. Graf drove a car to Portugal from Vienna, through Germany, France and Spain, and then back to Vienna again. When driving at the speed over 100 km/h, a car naturally tends to drift to a centre line. I remem- ber that Prof. Carmen and I had to change our sitting positions quite often to keep balance of the car. In the car when the couple had different opini- ons, they spoke in various languages, none of which I could not understand at all.
3) They also took me to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where a piano competition was held.
4) Fourth time was a reunion with them at Indiana University in the United States, where Prof. Graf was a visiting professor for a year. I was visiting the University of Illinois in an adjacent state.
As you can see, they looked after me warmly in many aspects in addition to piano instructions.

I am who I am today thanks to Prof. Graf. Every time I had a chance to be in Vienna, I visited his grave, and prayed for his soul to rest in peace.

Now I am sitting by my piano in my home and talking to his photo. „Thank you, Prof. and Mrs. Graf!“