On the occasion of his birthday, in front of the sarcophagus of Ignacy Jan Paderewski – an outstanding pianist, composer, statesman, one of the Fathers of Independence – flowers were laid in the name of President Andrzej Duda, the President’s Office announced on Sunday.
Ignacy Jan Paderewski was born on November 6, 1860 (November 18 according to the Gregorian calendar). He was not only an outstanding pianist and composer, but also an activist for the independent reconstruction of Poland, prime minister and chairman of the National Council of the Republic of Poland, considered one of the fathers of independence.
On the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, on behalf of President Andrzej Duda, in the crypt of the Basilica of the Cathedral of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist in Warsaw, flowers are placed in front of the sarcophagus of an extraordinary pianist, composer, statesman – one of the Fathers of Independence” – the Chancellor announced on Twitter the President.
During World War I, using his many contacts in politics, he supported Poland’s efforts to regain its independence. In 1919, as prime minister and foreign minister, he led a Polish delegation to the Paris peace conference with Roman Dmowski and signed the Treaty of Versailles on behalf of Poland.
Paderewski began learning to play the piano at the age of 12 at the Music Institute in Warsaw. To improve his workshop, he went to the Royal Academy of Music in Berlin twice, where he met many of the leading composers and virtuosos of that time, including. Richard Strauss, Antoni Rubinstein and Pablo de Sarasati.
These contacts and the influence of Helena Modrzejewska prompted him to start a career as a pianist. Thanks to his first appearance in Krakow in October 1884, he obtained the funds to travel to Vienna, where he studied under Teodor Leszetycki.
Paderewski was an artist who gave concerts around the world, one of the greatest pianists of his time. During World War I, using his many contacts in politics, he supported Poland’s efforts to regain its independence. In 1919, as prime minister and foreign minister, he led a Polish delegation to the Paris peace conference with Roman Dmowski and signed the Treaty of Versailles on behalf of Poland.
Ignacy Jan Paderewski died on June 29, 1941 (PAP)
author: Karol Kostrzewa
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