The Patron of our school
Ignacy Jan Paderewski is the Patron of our school. This choice was not coincidental. We wanted to commemorate the achievements of a man who could not officially be the patron of Polish schools in the years 1945-1989.
Ignacy Jan Paderewski was a great Pole, open to the world, who received international recognition. He played a very important role in the reconstruction of idependent Poland. However, he was able to protest against things, which did not make the Polish nation proud. He was an artist and a politician-a man of heart and wisdom, devoted to people and important national matters. We want him to serve as an example for us-both for teachers and students.
His life
Ignacy Jan Paderewski was born in 1860 in the village of Kurylowka, Podolia, Poland. He studied at the Warsaw Musical Institute and with many Eastern European teachers. He became one of Poland's world renowned pianists and composers. Although his own compositions are well known, Paderewski was widely praised for his renditions of Chopin. In addition to delighting Poland and the world with his music for over 50 years, Paderewski also became one of Poland's great statesmen.
At the beginning of World War I, Paderewski founded a committee to assist the people of Poland and established branches in Paris, London and throughout the United States.
Paderewski's efforts, with support from the American government and American people, helped Poland regain her freedom after World War I. He was also one of the signers of the Paris Peace Treaty which was responsible for reestablishing the proper boundaries between Poland and her neighbors. Paderewski became the chief framer of the Polish Constitution of 1919 and served as Poland's delegate to the League of Nations in Geneva. Upon Poland's Independence, in 1918, Paderewski became its Prime Minister and Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Paderewski became ill during a mission to the United States while requesting additional support for Poland against Hitler's Nazi invaders. He died in New York City on June 29, 1941, and his body was interred in Arlington Cemetery, near Washington D.C.
It was Paderewski's wish to be reburied in Poland when his homeland was again free.
This wish became a reality on June 28, 1992, when his body was returned to Poland and laid to final rest with full honors from the American and free Polish government.
There are hundreds of organizations around the world named after Ignacy Jan Paderewski to honor his life and efforts on behalf of the Polish people.
Paderewski earned the reputation of one of the best pianists, and his virtuoso career spanned more than fifty years. A top-paid artist, he was coveted by crowds of listeners of the most famous concert halls and his recitals were honoured by the presence of Europe's royalty. Paderewski's concert itineraries took him to the countries of Europe, both Americas, South Africa as well as Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania.
Paderewski was both a passionate performer and composer of music. Neo-Romantic in style, his compositions frequently take on classical or folk dance forms of masurs, kujawiaks and krakowiaks.
Leading orchestras have included compositions by Paderewski, such as his opera MANRU, POLONIA SYMPHONY and POLISH FANTASIA for piano and orchestra, in their repertoires. Paderewski's mastery as a composer is also reflected in his two sonatas (for violin and piano), three cycles of variations, and songs to Polish and French lyrics (Op. 7, 18 and 22, respectively). MENUET IN G-MAJOR Op. 14 No. 1, in the style of Mozart, MELODY from Op. 8 and NOCTURN from Op. 16 are the three of his miniature compositions to have enjoyed record popularity levels.