Evening star., 1941-01-05
US. Observes
PadereWski
Anniversary
Nation Remembers
SO Years of Stars
Performances
By Alice EverSman.

artist, Ignace Jan Paderewski. The
celebration will be in observance of
the 50th anniversary of Paderew-
skis first visit to the United States,
but there will be a deeper signifl-
canoe to it than ordinarily is in
volved in the commemoration of
some anniversary date in the life of
a living musician. 1t will be ges-
ture of homage to one who, side by
side with his art, has given bril-
liant and constructive evidence of
his craftsmanship and the devotion
OF an all-absorbing patriotism.
PadereWSki has charmed and
thrilled countless numbers with his
pianistic art in the long years in
which he has been before the pub
lie, but when his country called, he
forsook his life's work to labor in
its behalf. His zeal and his accom-
plishmentS in the diplomatic rela-
tions which his position as Premier
of Poland necessitated have won him
as great admiration and respect as
did the dazzling fire and beauty of
his playing. That man could be
great in two such diversified fields as
those of music and national politics
is phenomenon not often met with
and the country will welcome with
enthusiasm the opportunity to
honor the artist-statesman.
The tragic outcome of this life
of devotion to art and to country is
that, at the age of 80, PadereWski
is almost penniless and must begin
again his efforts to help his native
land All that he did for it after
the last war has been destroyed and
the great patriot has lived to see
the sorrowful day when his land has
been absorbed by an enemy nation.
But he does not despair, and his visit
this time. minus the glamour that
accompanied him on his concert
tours to this country, is to renew his
fight to rehabilitate Poland.
Won Highest Fame.
On his first concert tour to the
United States, PaderewSki had to
overcome the skepticiSm with which
his manager in this country regarded
the stories of his artistic proWesS.
At the end of that tour, he was the
most famous of musicians. His
marvellous red-gold hair, his inter-
esting appearance and the complete
absorption in music which made
his programs sometimes three and
a half hours long, were new aspects
of personality to the concert-goerS
Of that period, while the remarkable
dexterity and poetry of his playing
surpassed that of any artist of that
day. AS his private car sped through
the country, word preceded it that
he was coming, and the railroad
yards would be filled with workmen
eager to listen as the great artist
practiced on the piano he always
carried with him.
HIS travelling had much Of the
lavishness which accompanies royal
ty. There were his valet, secre-
tary, a chef, a piano tuner, his
concert manager and retinue of
servants. A whole floor was en-
gagged in hotels to house the COM
pany, and special coaches, including
the private car where the artist could
practice as he pleased, were used
in transportation. He made a
fortune several times over and spent
money lavishly, not only for COM
Portable living, but for charity as
we'll.
No one who ever asked help of
Pederewski failed to receive it.
Petitions Of all kinds for money
poured in on him and were instantly
answered. Occasionally, when what
is called force majeur" interfered,
and there was deficit in the box Of
flee too great to cover his fee and
the expenses entailed, he would de-
duct the expense amount from what
he received. Once, when a concert
was scheduled for the Stanford Uni
versity Scholarship Fund and there
was deficit of $1,000, Padefewski
wrote check for that sum the
minute he heard of it. The young
man who was in charge of the ar
rangements was Herbert Hoover,
who many years later was to be of
assistance to Paderewski in Poland's
hour of need.
Now, when those days are gone
forever, Paderewski returns, unable
to give so abundantly of everything
except himself. This was easier 20
years ago, at the time his country
needed him so sorely. Then, he put
aside his art and took up the task
of organizing and nurturing the
land whose freedom he won when
President Wilson, at his request, in
cluded this demand in his Fourteen
Points. The varied types which went
into the formation of the new Poland
had to be united, and only a man
revered by his countrymen as is
Pederewski could have accomplished
1t. 1t was he who Strengthened out
affairs and inspired others to work
with him.
Went Back to Music.
Then, when it was finished, he re-
signed his post and went back to
his music. But times had changed,
other artists were reaping harvest
of both money and acclaim, and
the road was difficult for the aging
pianist. His venture in motion pic
lures was a revelation of his spirit
and of his talent as we'll, for he
proved to be a fine actor with an
understanding of the value of sim
plicity as a great art.
It was mementuous decision
which the 80-year-old patriot-artist
made to leave his country and at
tempt to reach the friendly Amer
lean shore. The difficulties of the
journey from his home in Poland to
Lisbon were great, the travelling was
hard, and food almost impossible to
get in the war-torn countries he had
to pass through. In Europe, he was
recognized as the head of the gov
ernment in exile. In the Nazi news
columns, it was announced that he
would establish a residence in Bar