Paderewski.

Manawatu Herald, 24 May 1904, Page 3

Paderewski.

A personal friend of Paderewski, has given the Evening Post represen-' tative some interesting information regarding the early history and personality of the great pianoforte player. He is being sccompanied to Now Zealand by his wife and by Mr Allington, his private secretary and general adviser. It is said that though at the beginning of his career Paderewski was a poor man, he is now, at the age of forty-four, immensely wealthy. He is ( however, the last man who would be spoilt by success, and according to report his hand is ever in his pocket in helping those in need. The romance of Paderewski’s successful career is not without its note of sorrow. He married at nineteen, and his wife died in child-birth, leaving him an invalid son. That was the great sorrow of Paderewski’s life. The father spent a fortune on his son, who lived until three years ago. Paderewski's second wife is a Polish countess. She was his wife’s greatest friend, and she it was who looked after the invalid baby from the time of the mother’s death. Paderewski’s tour is not a moneymaking venture, so he does not need tocome to New Zealand is search ot tjjMßtfelghty dollars. He could make without coming so far object is a tour of the waSßrcarting in Australia. New it was Paderewski’s’intention to proceed to China and Japan, but the war between Russia and J apan will cause the abandonment of that part of the tour. From New Zealand, Paderewski will now proceed to India. He will go right through that fascinating country, and then visit Egypt. After giving recitals in Athens and Constantinople he will go tip into Ronmania, Bulgaria, Servia, Montenegro, aud across the Balkan States —that is, it the revolutionary rifles are not playing a different kind of music by that time. From Mr Lemmone one gathei’s that the man Paderewski is as charming as the player Paderewski. He is a splendid billiard player, and an equally good croquet player. He brings with him to New Zealand two specially made grand Erard pianos, and he will give only two concerts in each of the four New Zealand cities —Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.