Ignace (or Ignacy) Jan Paderewski was born in 1860 and was one of the most famous of the late 19th-century/early 20th century pianists. He made his debut in Vienna in 1887 and rapidly became hugely popular - even having a popular song written about him in 1916.
During World War 1 he was active in politics, and after Poland broke away from Germany in 1918 he became Prime Minster from January to December 1919. After this he resumed his concert career: though still popular his technique was beginning to decline and traces of this can sometimes be heard on his records.
The recordings show a musical touch, though a general technique which sounds old-fashioned to modern ears, particularly in the 19th-century habit of 'spreading' chords - playing the higher notes slightly later than the lower ones - and in a tendency to over-emphasize (though this is probably a failure to adapt his technique to the more intimate situation of a recording studio).
In 1937 he starred in a film, Moonlight Sonata, playing himself - ironically his performances there are slightly better than the gramophone records. He died in 1941. (Mouse over the list for notes.)
During World War 1 he was active in politics, and after Poland broke away from Germany in 1918 he became Prime Minster from January to December 1919. After this he resumed his concert career: though still popular his technique was beginning to decline and traces of this can sometimes be heard on his records.
The recordings show a musical touch, though a general technique which sounds old-fashioned to modern ears, particularly in the 19th-century habit of 'spreading' chords - playing the higher notes slightly later than the lower ones - and in a tendency to over-emphasize (though this is probably a failure to adapt his technique to the more intimate situation of a recording studio).
In 1937 he starred in a film, Moonlight Sonata, playing himself - ironically his performances there are slightly better than the gramophone records. He died in 1941. (Mouse over the list for notes.)
VALSE BRILLANTE IN E FLAT MAJOR Op.18
(Chopin)
HMV DB1273 recorded 22 May 1928
(Chopin)
HMV DB1273 recorded 22 May 1928
HUNGARIAN RHAPSODY No.2
(Liszt)
HMV DB381 (2 sides) recorded 26 June 1922
(Liszt)
HMV DB381 (2 sides) recorded 26 June 1922
MINSTRELS (No.12 from first book of Preludes)
(Debussy)
HMV DA1173 recorded 13 October 1930
(Debussy)
HMV DA1173 recorded 13 October 1930
LA CAMPANELLA
(Paganini arr. Liszt)
HMV DB1167 recorded 18 August 1927
(Paganini arr. Liszt)
HMV DB1167 recorded 18 August 1927
SONATA IN C# MINOR ('MOONLIGHT') -
ADAGIO (Beethoven)
HMV DB1090 recorded 16 December 1926
ADAGIO (Beethoven)
HMV DB1090 recorded 16 December 1926
STUDY IN C MINOR Op.10 No.12
'REVOLUTIONARY' (Chopin)
HMV DA1047 recorded 22 May 1928
'REVOLUTIONARY' (Chopin)
HMV DA1047 recorded 22 May 1928
