Jerzy Maksymiuk. A conductor, a composer, a pianist. At 80 fully active or – to many – excessively active. Demanding of himself and others, never slowing down, merciless to poor performers, still fascinated by music and focused on his scores till it borders madness. Loved by the eminent, but irritating to and disliked by hack musicians. Privately, he continues to be a lad from the small-town wooden house. A charismatic “maestro” admired in London, Glasgow and Paris, totally helpless in everyday life without his wife’s assistance and direction.