New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-10
RUMOR ABOUT PADEREWSKI.
SAID TO HAVE LOST THE USE OF TWO
FINGERS. AND TO BE UNLIKELY
EVER TO PLAY AGAIN.

There 4 about town yesterday that
Ignace Paderewski the celebrated pianist. had lost
the use OF two fingers. and that he would probably
never be able to play the piano again. The report
appeared TO come solely from an English provincial
paper. IL was. of course. heard with regret by
everybody who heard :; at ALL merely on the chance
OF It's being true. but 1t by no means credited
by all who heard IL. Some years ago Paderewskt
had felon on cf his fingers and for long
time afterward he was in constant dread OF worse
fate Detailing that member. 1t suggested yes
terday that he was of a nervous temperament, and
quite likely TO think that any disability was more
serious than there was any real need Of fearing
j. lgnace Paderewski born In Kurilowka, In
Podolia. Poland. on November 6. 1880 He attributes
his musical talent TO inheritance from his mother.
He began learning to play the piano when he
six years old. but his teachers were not good ones.
and he suffered under other DISADVANTAGES which
would probably never have been overcome but for
the wonderful ability which was a part OF himself
and quite above all teaching. He went to the con-
serva;ory at Warsaw when he was twelve years
old, and he had the honor OF being expelled from
that institution three times But he went on study
ing and he made concert tour In Poland and Rus
sia when ne was sixteen years old. This probably
helped him more than any corresponding amount OF
study in IA school would have done. But ne got a
diploma AT warsaw ana was elected professor OF
music there when ne eighteen.
A year later he married. and another year later
1cGsivey to music He was pro of Of mnlc at
the Conservatory at Strasburg when ne only
himself as an artist and turning point In his
career came when he began 10 receive lessons from
Lescheutzky. From this master he gained much.
though he took only thirty lesson from him
Paderewskrs visit 10 This country FIVE wears ago
was one Of the most remarkable incidents in recent
musical annals. Even considering his great art
pianist. his reception here was nothing less than
extravagant. His playing doubtless deserved any
recognition that II could we'll receive yet II Is i'm
possible TO say just how much OF his vogue ne
owed 10 his personal appearance and TO the won
derful personal fascination which he seemed to
have for the feminine portion OF his audiences
None OF the long list OF famous matinee actors
the Nation ever caused their audiences to conduct
themselves in the manner that Paderewski's au-
on the box Office. they crowded the galleries. they
cheered and wept TIL they might have shaken: II
not shattered. the strongest nerves, and Pader-
cwskfs nerves said TO have been of the weak
performance and crowded to the front Of the house
TO be nearer to their idol while he played last
positive farewell. They threw flowers at him. and
they counted the fact that they had seen him pick
them Up as the most precious Of their memories
Padcrewsh naturally carried away with him an
enormous amount OF American money. Equally
naturally he came again. This in 1895 In the
end Of this year and the beginning OF S6 he made
Paderewskis weak nerves have been mentioned;
He In constant fear OF breaking down and
not being able to play Often he did play when Il
agony for him TO do His music was his
only work though his music does
clusvely his playing. For he also composed many
pieces for the piano and finally an opera Several
pecallv played by himself. II is unnecessary
say that he devoted enormous amounts OF time
TO practising His amusements came late at night:
when the concert was over, and then he delighted
get his friends to sit at supper with him till
daylight II has been said lately that greater
plants; than Paderewski is coming Whether he
fortunate indeed IL he sweeps musical and feminine
America before him Paderewski did.