Paderewski, Ignace Jan. Famous pianist and composer. Born on November 6, 1860, in Podolia, a province of Russian Poland. He began to play the piano at the age of three, and when seven years old, was placed under Pierre Lowinski, a local tutor. In 1872, he went to Warsaw, learning harmony and counterpoint from Roguski, and subsequently from Frederick Kiel. He toured through Russia, Siberia, and Rumania, playing only his own compositions. In 1878, he became professor of music in Warsaw Conservatoire, and for a while, in 1884, he was a professor at Strasburg Conservatoire, but then definitely decided to try his fortune as a virtuoso. After three years' study with Leschetizky, in Vienna, he made his debut in 1887 with instant success, and soon rose to first rank among living pianists. In 1919 he became premier of Poland.

---