PADEREWSKI DISMISSED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 996, 12 June 1930, Page 16

PADEREWSKI DISMISSED

TURNED DOWN BY RUBENSTEIN In 1886 the great Russian pianist Rubenstein, gave a recital in Dresden, Germany. To this recital came Ignace Jan Paderewski, a 26-year-old Pole, who was professor of piano and counterpoint at the Conservatory of Strassburg. Paderewski had made a devout pilgrimage of his journey to hear the celebrated Rubenstein. He never had had the chance before. His salary was so meagre he could scarcely afford the cost of the trip to Dresden yet his desire w-as so intense he set out, even though, after purchasing a third-class return ticket and a packet of Russian cigarettes, he had no money with which to pay for admission to the concert hall. The cigarettes, of the best quality, were to be a humble gift to the maestro, and as soon as the young professor arrived in Dresden he set out for Rubenstein’s hotel to make the presentation. His connection with the Conservatory of Strassburg gained him entry to the Russian’s presence, and to him he tendered the cigarettes, with the assurance of his profound admiration. Rubenstein listened cordially. He appreciated homage as well as another, but as Paderewski went on his countenance changed. “I have come all the way from Strassburg to hear you, master,” the young man was saying, ‘‘but upon arriving here I find the price of seats is not within my reach. Could you, as a favour, allow me to stand somewhere so that I might hear you?” How was Rubenstein to know that this penniless stranger was destined to achievements beside which his own would be insignificant? It seema that, like many other historical personages, he was so immersed in his own greatness he could not see beyond his aura. At 26 Paderewski must have had much of that quality which was to mark him as one of the outstanding world personalities of his day. But Rubenstein saw none of this. Had he granted the trivial favour asked of him, and further interested himself in his young admirer, he might have had the honour of first recognising his genius, and received the credit for launching Paderewski upon his memorable career. But as he listened, Rubensteln’s face became indifferent. “I don’t attend to such matters,” he said coldly. ‘‘Ask my manager.” And he ended the interview. Was Refused Admission

Paderewski was refused admission to the concert, and returned to Strassburg heartbroken and humiliated. Rubenstein had missed a great opportunity. But within a few months a more discerning person had recognised the genius of the young Pole, and given impetus to its expression. It is a pleasurable circumstance that this person was another Pole, the great actress, Helene Modjeska. At the period of Paderewski's unfortunate meeting with Rubenstein his musical fate hung in the balance. Born in 1860, in the village of Kurylowka, province of Podolia, Poland, he had grown up under Russian suppression. His mother’s father had been banished to Siberia for political activities, and she was herself born in that desolate land. Paderewski, at three, witnessed the imprisonment of his own father, Jan Paderewski, for insurrectionary efforts. His mother died at this time. These circumstances made of Paderewski an intense patriot before he became a musician. As a patriot it is probable he has been even greater than as a pianist. At five he voluntarily tried to play upon an organ upon which his father sometimes performed. His aptitude impressed the parent, who soon placed him under the instruction of the only piano teacher in the village. Premier of Poland At 13 Paderewski’s talents seemed to demand larger scope, and his father sent him to the Conservatory of Warsaw, where he might also become selfsupporting. After four years of study he won the first prize in piano playing and became a teacher at 17, in the institution. It was in this year that Paderewski attempted a concert tour of some smaller Polish and Russian cities. It was a great failure. His hopes of becoming a great recital artist seemingly destroyed, he went to Berlin, and over a period of many years studied theory and composition. This brought him his professorship at Strassburg. He seemed doomed to teaching for the rest of his life. His experience with Rubenstein plunged him the deeper into gloom. Some months later Madame Mod jcska happened to be present in a house where Paderewski was a guest. He was invited to play the piano and complied. The tragedienne led the applause that finished his rendition. “My dear sir,” she said, “you play marvellously. Why are you not on the concert stage?” Paderewski explained. “You must waste no more time at the ungrateful task of teaching,” Modjeska declared. “You must give yourself and your art to the world.” The young musician did not believe himself ready for the role his friend envisioned. “Then study some more, but study with the best,” she advised him. In ISB7 Paderewski became a pupil of his fellow-countryman, the greatest teacher in the world, Theodore Leschetizky, at Vienna. Two years later he made his debut in Vienna, and scored a triumph. London, Paris, Berlin and New York followed, and soon he was a world figure. As master pianist and an internationally known personality, he established many friendships with the great of all countries. As patriot he became a student of all things and all persons, so that he might the better serve his oppressed country When the World War broke out it was Paderewski who united all Poles in throwing off the yoke, and it was Paderewski who enlisted the aid and sympathy of the Allies. He became the country’s first Premier, and as one of the world’s finest orators, speaking four languages, and profound thinker, he played a foremost part in ihe Peace Conference following the war. He became, in fact, the father of his country. Paderewski had the good sense to renounce statesmanship at a time when his fame,was secure. At 69 he is again a concert pianist, and the world pays him homage such as is given to few men.