Paderewski. The Fantasy and the legend

  In dedication to the 100th anniversary of Polish independence, the Cracovia Danza Ballet has prepared a special play Paderewski. The Fantasy and The Legend. It is a story about Ignacy Jan Paderewski who was not only a great pianist and composer but above all, a statesman who had a very big influence on regaining independence by Poland. The performance showing various life stages of the star who made the big stage and the idol of the audience, is based on the unpublished letters of Ignacy Jan Paderewski to Helena Górska, his second wife. "Burn these letters Helenka", wrote Paderewski but fortunately she did not. For many years, the letters had been in possession of Paderewski's secretary's family who lived in the USA and who then donated them to the Institute of Musicology of the Jagiellonian University. They are now kept at the treasury of the Jagiellonian Library. The story told by the dance shows the most important moments of the artist's life. There is some childish joy, youthful longing, euphoria of the fame, and... Poland whose independence Paderewski decided to fight for in the world salons. All of it in the company of women, beautiful, voluptuous and wise, who played a major role in the composer's life. The great asset of this spectacle is the Paderewski's music performed live by the pianist. The Paderewski's pieces set the characteristic rhythm and the atmosphere of the story. In premiere performances Adam Wodnicki, who is recognised as the best interpreter of the composer's musical heritage, has performed.