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Personalities | Ignacy Paderewski | Late Romantic | Classical

(Ig-nat’-si Pa-de-ref’-ske) 1860–1941
Polish pianist and composer

Paderewski achieved fame as a virtuoso pianist following studies in Vienna with Theodor Leschetizky (1830–1915), and a triumphant Paris debut (1888). During his 50-year career he toured worldwide to immense acclaim. In 1909 he was appointed director of the Warsaw Academy. A fervent patriot and among the highest-paid artists, he gave much financial support to Poland and in 1919 became its prime minister. In 1939, with the invasion by Germany and Russia, he was appointed President of the Polish government-in-exile in France. His most popular works, in a Romantic style influenced by Chopin and Liszt, include the Minuet in G, Piano Concerto in A minor, Polish Fantasy for piano and orchestra, Symphony in B minor and the opera Manru (1892–1901).

Recommended Recording:
Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 17, Janina Fialkowska, National Polish Radio SO of Katowice (cond) Antoni Wit (Naxos)

Source: Classical Music Encyclopedia, founding editor Stanley Sadie

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