Paderewski, pianist, composer, statesman

"Paderewski The Story Of A Modern Immortal"
by Charles Phillips


NEW YORK THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1934


From the introduction by Edward Mandell House:

After finishing his work at the Peace Conference, Paderewski returned to Warsaw, and, as Prime Minister, welded together the new Poland. When this had been successfully accomplished, he went back to that kingdom of which he had been so long master, and received a welcome which must have touched and gladdened his heart. Absence in another field of endeavor had in no way lessened his musical genius, and his triumph was one of the most remarkable incidents in his career. The statesman, the executive, the diplomat and orator were now merged in the artist, the composer and the poet. Again the magic of his hands stirred the hearts of his audiences to rapture and to tears.

You can download the entire book at the title link above. The picture is linked to Wikipedia.


On the last Shaman's Hand radio show we talked a little about the great Paderewski. My connection to him is through my teacher John Suter who saw him perform in Phoenix and also in Chicago. He was a big fan of the great pianist as was his teacher Mr Karl Hakes.

We also featured a piece by Paul Hindemith who was born on Nov. 16, 1895. We played his trio for Heckelphone. One of his students at least for a short time was Norman Dello Joio whom I had the honor of singing under with the Masterworks Chorale some years ago.