Paderewski, Ignace Jan, << `pad` uh REHF skee, EE nyas yahn >> (1860-1941), was a Polish pianist, composer, and statesman. During World War I (1914-1918), he left his career as a musician to devote himself to the cause of Polish freedom. At the close of the war, Poland again became independent, largely because of his efforts.
Child prodigy.
Paderewski was born on Nov. 18, 1860 (November 6 on the Russian calendar then in use), in Podolia, now a part of Ukraine. His father was an administrator of estates. His mother was the daughter of a professor. He began his piano lessons at the age of 6. When he was 12, he entered the Warsaw Conservatory. Six years later, he was appointed a professor there.
Paderewski became a pupil of Theodor Leschetizky in Vienna in 1884. In 1887, he began a brilliant career as a concert pianist, playing to enthusiastic audiences in Europe and America. American audiences heard him for the first time in 1891 in New York City. He also played in South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, as well as throughout Europe. The proceeds of many of his concerts went to charity. He set up the Paderewski Foundation for young composers in 1896 in the United States, and founded two competitions in Warsaw in 1898, for composition and drama. In 1897, Paderewski bought an estate in Switzerland and lived there in his later years.
Polish patriot.
Paderewski’s devotion to Poland is now a part of history. During World War I he gave concerts to raise relief funds, and he helped enlist men for the Polish Army. He represented his country at the Versailles Peace Conference and at the League of Nations. He served as premier, as well as minister of foreign affairs, in the Polish republic. But political disputes arose, and Paderewski and his cabinet remained in power for only 10 months.
Later career.
In 1922, Paderewski resumed his concert performances and teaching. He had given away most of the money he had previously earned to help Poland. He made his last American tour in 1939. After suffering a mild heart attack, he returned to Switzerland. A few months later, Germany invaded Poland, and World War II began. Once more Paderewski devoted himself to the cause of Poland. He was named president of the new Polish Parliament in exile, later called the Polish National Council. Late in 1940, he returned to the United States to make his home on a California ranch. He died in New York City.
Paderewski’s compositions include the opera Manru, Sonata in A minor for violin and piano, six humoresques for piano, and “Polish Fantasy” and Concerto in A minor for piano and orchestra. His last composition, Symphony in B minor, is a musical picture of the tragic history of Poland. He died on June 29, 1941.
