In tribute to Paderewski

The topics of the papers and panels include both Paderewski’s political activities and his spectacular musical career as pianist and composer.

The methods of reconstructing his archival recordings, the Warsaw collection of the Paderewski memorabilia, the Paderewski Room in the Polish Museum in America and his ties with Switzerland are also discussed.

The conference is held at the Bristol Hotel, which was built in 1900 by a company whose partners included Ignacy Jan Paderewski. It is organised by the International Paderewski Society for the Promotion of Polish Music.

Paderewski is one of the household names in Polish culture and politics. Hailed by his contemporaries as the greatest pianist since Franz Liszt, he achieved the peak of his triumphant career at the turn of the 19th century, when his fame spread worldwide and his financial success reached phenomenal dimensions.

The composer and statesman also entered the annals of music history as a talented composer. His opera Manru remains, to this day, the only Polish opera produced at the Metropolitan.

During World War I Paderewski supported Poland’s attempts to regain independence after more than 120 years of foreign rule. In 1919, as Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, he co-chaired (with Roman Dmowski) the Polish delegation for the Peace Conference in Paris and signed the Treaty of Versailles.

Paderewski died in the United States in 1941 and, following a decision by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was buried at Arlington Military Cemetery in Washington. In 1992, at the request of President Lech Walesa, his remains were brought to Poland and buried at St John’s Cathedral in Warsaw. (mk/jb)