The Concert

The great Ignancy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941) was a Polish pianist who gained world wide fame and was very popular in the United States. I was recently reminded of this story and researched it. Paderewski experts say the story may have been inspired by a poster during World War II that promoted a meeting in support of the Polish Relief Fund. Paderewski is said to have organized the meeting. The poster included a sketch of Paderewski next to a boy at the piano.

Here is the story:
When the house lights dimmed and the concert of the great pianist, Paderewski was about to begin, a mother hurriedly returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on the stage. To her horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out Chopsticks. At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Keep going. Don't quit, son. Keep playing. Don't stop. Don't quit." Leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that after the concert they couldn't recall what else the great master played, only the classic, Chopsticks.

What we accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, when we play along with the hand of our Master, Jesus Christ, our works in life become truly beautiful. His hands are always there to turn our feeble attempts into great masterpieces. Listen for that tender voice whispering words of encouragement for you today, "Keep going. Don't quit. Keep playing. Don't stop. Don't quit."