The Polish virtuoso Ignacy Jan Paderewski is one of those rare interpreters from classical music’s past – in the company of Paganini, Caruso, Toscanini, and perhaps a few others – that still flits around the periphery of the public consciousness.
A star pupil of Theodor Leschetizky (who studied with Czerny, who in turn studied with Beethoven), Paderewski exuded a magnetism that enthralled audiences. Beyond his technical prowess, he possessed an extraordinary stage presence. His striking looks, immense charisma, and an almost Pre-Raphaelite combo of unruly mane, mustache, and soul patch made him one of classical music’s true matinee idols. His enormous success on the concert stage lent wings to his political and philanthropic activities.
Later, he would be appointed Prime Minister of Poland and Minister of Foreign Affairs. His signature is on the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I. His own compositions promoted a romantic image of his homeland. One of these, “Fantasie Polonaise,” provided the basis for Sir Edward Elgar’s orchestral work “Polonia,” written for a Polish Relief Fund concert organized by Paderewski in London in 1916. The concert was but one of Paderewski’s numerous – far too numerous to enumerate in a mere Facebook post – charitable and patriotic contributions. The same could be said of the extent of his honors. I’m a little pressed for time this morning, so it will have to do!
In addition, Paderewski was once a regular presence in Princeton. For a time, he taught at the university, before accepting the presidency of City College of New York. One of his recitals here, in 1925, included Beethoven’s “Waldstein” Sonata and one of Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies, perhaps No. 2. Princeton University Concerts continues to hold an annual Paderewski Memorial Concert in his honor.
It’s been said that by the time the pianist was making recordings and appearing in films that his technique had become a shadow of its former self. (After hearing Paderewski play at the end of one of his exhausting American tours, the Polish pianist Moriz Rosenthal quipped, “Yes, he plays well, I suppose, but he’s no Paderewski.”) Still, there are glimmers of the artist – and the presence – that he once was.
Happy birthday, Jan Ignacy Paderewski (1860-1941)!
Paderewski plays Chopin (film: “Moonlight Sonata,” 1937)
Paderewski plays Chopin (1912), with interview (1940)
Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2” (film: “Moonlight Sonata,” 1937)
Paderewski, Symphony in B minor “Polonia”
Paderewski, “Fantasie Polonaise,” performed by Earl Wild, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arthur Fiedler
Elgar’s “Polonia”
Paderewski plays his once-famous “Minuet” (1937)
More Chopin (recorded 1923-30)
Over an hour of his earliest recordings. (Paderewski was already in his early 50s.)
