The Man Who Composed My Life

César Franck, and his sonata for violin, got me into every music festival and school that I ever attended. But I had an edge: a generous father-pianist who didn't just accompany but rather collaborated with me in performance. Still, I have to thank the composer who brought my father and I closer together during my teenage years, and the piece that I will always listen to as That One By the Composer Who Wrote My Life. Happy Birthday, Franck. -- Adam Baer