Paderewski

Paderewski

Living 80 years (1860-1941), Ignacy Paderewski became the most famous piano player in the world, and for fifty years had the largest following of any musical composer of his time. His recitals always attracted standing-room only type crowds. He lived a good deal in the United States but after the First World War he returned to his Poland which was an independent Republic again. There he became Prime Minister for a time. During the next war he was the spokesperson for the Polish Parliament in France. In 1925, George V made Ignacy a knight but he never used the title Sir. [AW] {JO}