Ferenc Fricsay’s earliest childhood recollection, one he very much enjoyed telling, was already about conducting:

“My father was a military band leader, and at one of the outdoor concerts he used to conduct on summer afternoons, I caused a minor disturbance at the age of four. I was usually sitting with my mother in the audience. That day, suddenly I disappeared from her side and walked to the orchestra, stood behind my father who was conducting, and full of devotion, imitated his movements. My performance was a tremendous success – the audience was greatly amused. The laughter didn’t distract my father, he didn’t even turn around. But the organzier reacted immediately because the piece was a serious one and the laughter rather out of place. With a fast grip he took my little arm and led me back to my mother.