Ignacy Jan Paderewski

As I welcome you to the new year, I would like to introduce Ignacy Jan Paderewski who reminds us of superhuman powers beyond our brain's ability. He was a pianist, composer, activist, polyglot, orator, politician, statesman, humanitarian, businessman, patron of art and architecture, winegrower, and film actor. He was born on November 6, 1860, in the village of Kurylowka in Russian-ruled Podolia (present-day Ukraine). 

His mother never recovered from childbirth and died a few months after Paderewski's birth. When Paderewski was 3, tragedy struck his family again, as his father was arrested and imprisoned for his role in the uprising of Polish patriots against the Tsarist regime. The young Paderewski became an orphan and was adopted by his aunt. He was tutored at home, but at the age of 12, he was accepted into the Warsaw Conservatory.

In 1888, Paderewski made a successful debut in Paris. He started touring all over the world, including the United States and made a fortune. In the 1890s, Paderewski began giving away his money to various causes, starting with scholarships for young music students.

After the German invasion of Poland in 1939, he became President of the Parliament-in-exile and came to the United States to campaign for assistance. In August 1914, World War I broke out. The exiled Paderewski - aged 79 - traveled to London and served as president of the Polish National Council; in this capacity, he set off for the U.S. to campaign once again for Polish independence. It was the great apostle of a free Poland to America and the world. However, Paderewski fell ill on June 27, 1941, and was diagnosed with pneumonia. He died on June 29, 1941, aged 80 in New York. Before his death, Paderewski specified in his will that he wanted to be buried in his homeland, but only when it was finally free. In 1991, his casket was reinterred in the Cathedral of St. John in Warsaw 51 years after his death.

Because of his combination of musical and political achievements, Paderewski holds an unusual place in musical history and has long been a revered figure in Poland and among Americans of Polish descent. He used his fame to reach out to Americans and to America's large Polish community, preaching the cause of independence and humanitarian aid. A great pianist and human being!