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I would
like to serve my country sincerely. Even without living by the Vistula River I can serve my homeland. Ignacy Jan Paderewski |
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About
the Paderewski Association |
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Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941)
was a pianist, composer, diplomat, politician, and humanitarian. As Prime Minister of Poland during its independence between the World Wars, he was one of the signers of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. Five American Presidents—Taft, Wilson, Coolidge, Hoover, and Roosevelt–acknowledged him as a great statesman and he was respected by leaders throughout the world. Paderewski was likely the most famous and admired pianists of all time. His popularity, bolstered by his dynamic personality, reached rock star proportions at the beginning of the 20th century. He swept the world with his performances (he gave more than 1,500 concerts in the U.S.). Paderewski was admired for his playing of Bach, superlative Beethoven renditions, and as the best interpreter of Chopin at the time. As early as 1895 he founded the Paderewski Fund in New York to establish triennial prizes to American composers, regardless of race or religion. |
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As the American Secretary of
State, Robert Lansing (1915-1920), wrote about him in his book, The
Big Four , "His views were essentially sane and logical. What Mr.
Paderewski has done for Poland will cause eternal gratitude. His career
is one which deserves to be remembered not only by his countrymen, but
by every man whom love of country and loyalty to a great cause stand
forth as the noblest attributes of human character." |
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