88 years old (Born on January 13, 1937)
Happy Birthday, Peter Schmalfuss! Here's to the virtuoso admired not only for masterful performances but also your unrivaled skill as music's greatest pinch-hitter—always ready when another pianist skipped town. Your fingers saved concerts and organizers alike so often; rumor has it theaters kept a spotlight aimed at wherever you were sitting in case duty called!You've dazzled audiences with Beethoven by breakfast, Mozart before lunch, and Tchaikovsky on short notice after tea. Wishing endless applause for your remarkable artistry—and may all pianists continue being conveniently unreliable whenever we truly need an encore from our favorite musical savior!


