Ignacy Jan Paderewski occupies a prominent place in the history of Polish music. An exceptional composer, gifted with outstanding pianistic talent and performer’s charisma; at the same time a politician, statesman, a man of great class, concentrating all his energy and abilities to serve the values that he considered the most important: Poland, freedom, and art. The composer was born in Kurylowka in Podole in 1860. He originated from a family of broad horizons and high culture, open to the world, and at the same time appreciating family values. He played piano from childhood, and was soon recognized as a bold virtuoso. The output presented to us by Paderewski as a composer, while varied and rich, leaves us with a feeling of some dissatisfaction. At a given moment the artist left composer’s work for the benefit of his pianistic career, as well as for the service of Poland and the society.
