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On this day, 10 January 1895, Polish pianist, composer and statesman Ignacy Jan Paderewski, who was a spokesman for Polish independence, played at Cardiff’s Park Hall
Park Hall, Cardiff
In 1919, he was the nation's prime minister and foreign minister during which he signed the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War.
A favorite of concert audiences around the world, his musical fame opened access to diplomacy and the media, as possibly did his status as a freemason, and charitable work of his second wife, Helena Paderewska.
During World War I, Paderewski advocated an independent Poland, including by touring the United States, where he met with President Woodrow Wilson, who came to support the creation of an independent Poland in his Fourteen Points at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, which led to the Treaty of Versailles.
Shortly after his resignations from office, Paderewski resumed his concert career to recoup his finances and rarely visited the politically chaotic Poland thereafter, the last time being in 1924.
Audiences responded to his brilliant playing with almost extravagant displays of admiration, and Paderewski also gained access to the halls of power. In 1891, Paderewski repeated his triumphs on an American tour; he would tour the country more than 30 times for the next five decades, and it would become his second home.
His stage presence, striking looks, and immense charisma contributed to his stage success, which later proved important in his political and charitable activities. His name became synonymous with the highest level of piano virtuosity.
Setlist
Variations in F minor, Hob.XVII:6
(Joseph Haydn cover)
Piano Sonata no. 3 in C major, op. 2, no. 3
(Ludwig van Beethoven cover)
(Unknown)
(Felix Mendelssohn cover) (Unknown Lieder ohne Worte.)
Études symphoniques, op. 13
(Robert Schumann cover)
(Unknown)
(Fryderyk Chopin cover) (Nocture, Étude & Valse)
Miscellanea, op. 16: 4. Nocturne
6 Humoresques de concert, op. 14: 6. Cracovienne fantastique
Réminiscences de Don Juan, S. 418
(Franz Liszt cover)
