Walter Hambock, a talented pianist born in Vienna in 1910, became known for his mastery of Beethoven and eventually caught the attention of senior figures in the Nazi regime. He was recommended to Adolf Hitler and spent several years performing for him at the leader's request. Despite his association with the regime, Hambock's life took a dramatic turn in 1940 when he was arrested after performing with a Jewish conductor in Holland. His story, largely unknown until recently, highlights the complexities and dangers faced by artists during the era of the Holocaust.