Jan Paderewski enthralled the world with his artistry for more than half a century. Immensely popular as a recitalist (he played in Madison Square Garden to 20,000 people), he came to recording as late as 1911, leaving an important legacy.
These recordings, mostly from the 1920s and some unpublished on 78rpm, show Paderewski as a uniquely eloquent interpreter of Beethoven, his compatriot Chopin, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Liszt, Wagner, Rachmaninov, Debussy and his own compositions.
Whether performing in grand Romantic style, with scintillating virtuosity, or as if confiding intimate secrets, Paderewski possessed what Henry James memorably described as “exhilarating goodness”.
“Systematic treatment of Paderewski's large discography is long overdue….it is bound to entice historic piano recording collectors.” Classics Today
“The oddities were odd: the out-of-synch hands, the sometimes bemusing understatement. But what artistry and grace… Gorgeous tonal range too (as in Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata) from the ageing master-pianist - surprisingly good sound.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2009 *****
“Despite (and often because of) such old-fashioned devices as the asynchronisation of hands and exaggerated rubato, there is playing of incomparable beauty on these 20 discs; many pianists today could learn much from listening to Paderewski's clarity of line, luminous tone and artful use of the pedals. All in all, much to treasure...” Gramophone Magazine, March 2009
