Paderewski was the most celebrated and charismatic pianist after Liszt. He had a remarkable presence on stage, an inimitable coiffeur, a noble profile, beautiful tone and an incomparable poetic style. Paderewski could 'speak' through his pianism to listeners, and it was his 'parlando' and rhythmic subtleties as a performer that earmarked him as a unique artist in the Golden Age of Pianism
Paderewski was born in the village of Kurylowka, Padolia a former province of Poland. His father was the administrator of several large estates and was a cultured man with a great love of music.
Paderewski's mother...