PADEREWSKI

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 108, 31 January 1919, Page 5

PADEREWSKI

THE POLISH PIANIST-PREMIER. One of the most extraordinary developments arising out of the turmoil between nations and peoples in Eastern Europe is the elevation of Paderewski to the position of Premier of Poland. For a iquavter of a century past Ignace Jan Paderewski has beon known to the world as one of the foremost virtuosi' of- the pianoforte and probably the most striking figure in the world on the concert platform, but few who knew the tall, eparo man with the delicate aquiline features, spacious forehead, and aureole of fair hair, were aware that behind the surface and tho show there beat the heart of one of the staunches.t Polish patriots among the many who have suffered, aye and died, in the struggle for freedom made by that unfortunate country. The •time always finds the man, and Paderewski tliree years ago went through tho United States r.s a flame, not as a pianist but as a patriot, placing the true position of Poland in the big war before tho ■hesitating millions of America, and pleading with wonderful force and magnetism the cause of the Allies as opposed to that of the Germanic Powers. Having lost a fortune himself, ho set to work to raiso money for his wretched countrymen, and at length returned to fi.ro his people with the picture of a free and independent Poland at last. The measure of his activities has yet to be computed, but the fact that Paderewski has becfi named Premier of a newj Poland-a Poland which, curiously enough, is still fighting tho Germans—is some guide to the esteem in which he is held in the land of his birth.

Ignace Paderewski was born in Podolin, a province of Russian Poland, in ISGO. He studied music at Warsaw, Berlin, and Vienna, in which last-named city he was a pupil of that famous teacher, tiie late Theodor Lesehitizky. Ho made his first public appearance in Vienna in 1887, in Paris two yeaw later, and in London in 1890, and in all three cities his brilliant playing created a furore that went to tho wildest extravagances of adulation. In 1891 he toured /hnoricn,' under the management of Mr. Hugo Gorlita ,'who is not unknown in Wellington), and iheve again tho tour , was a triumphant one. His name became synonymous with the highest pitch of perfection in pianoforte playing; he was hailed as the sv-cessor to Bnbenstein, and all society was at ;his feet. In 1899 he married the Baroness de Rosen, and after 1900, having massed a considerable fortune (most of which he invested in Poland) 1-e appeared but seldom in public, devoting himself more closely to compositions for the pianoforte. He has composed much. His dainty "Minuet"- is perhaps the bestknown of his works in New Zealand, but it is only one of many exceedingly graceful works for the pianoforte. His opera, ''Maiiru," was peformed in Dresden in 1901. There avo many in Wellington who will remember the great pianist's vieit to Wellington in tho early '90's. He performed to packed houses in the Manners Street nlayhouse, now lcnown as Everybody's Theatre, and by the magic, of his abounding art created scenes of wjirder'nl enthusiasm which made an- indelible imDresKirm on the memory of all present , . Tor the position ho, now holds he has the, qualifications of ijpii]? iv Polish gentleman of the highest culture mid refinement, and at the 'fame time he is a cosmopolitan with a very extensive personal knowledge of most eounMes ami nermlos, whilst at Hi" l,ark of all i? l> ti'fini"'{ nml sensibility of a great artist with the hischost ideals as to government and humanity.