Entertainment

Published: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Music: Tribute to a Renaissance man

Paso Robles’ Paderewski Festival recognizes ‘the George Washington of Poland’ with four days of concerts and exhibits

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It’s been seven decades since Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski last set foot there, but the people of Paso Robles still count him as a native son.

A world-renowned musician, composer and statesman, Paderewski visited Paso Robles frequently between 1914 and 1939 — staying at the El Paso de Robles Hotel, soaking in the hot springs, and cultivating crops on nearly 3,000 acres of farmland.

This weekend, Paso Robles pays tribute to the man known as “the George Washington of Poland” with four days of concerts, mixers and museum exhibits. The Paderewski Festival runs today through Sunday.

“We’re really going to have some world-class musicians here,” said Joel Peterson, president of the Paderewski Festival board of directors. “The chance to see them in Paso Robles is really special.”

Musician and humanitarian

Born in 1860, Paderewski made his official debut as a pianist at age 28 in Paris. Critically acclaimed recitals throughout Europe, the United States and Canada followed.

During World War I, Paderewski put his touring career on hold to raise millions in humanitarian aid for Poland and rally for Polish independence.

He signed the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, restoring Polish sovereignty after more than 120 years under the control of Russia, Prussia and Austria, and became independent Poland’s first prime minister. Paderewski also served as the fledging nation’s foreign affairs minister and representative to the League of Nations.

Paderewski made his first visit to Paso Robles in 1914, seeking relief for his arthritic hands.

Over the next 25 years, he treated the North County as a second home, growing almond trees, fruit trees and zinfandel grape vines at Rancho San Ignacio and Rancho Santa Helena in Paso Robles. Paderewski also bought more than 2,600 acres in Santa Maria in hopes of discovering oil. (He never did.)

Establishing a base

The Paderewski Festival, created in 1991, seeks to honor the pianist and his impact on the Central Coast.

“This year we’re really finding our legs and establishing our base,” Peterson said. “We really feel like we’re a festival that’s here to stay.”

This year’s festival kicks off tonight with a chamber music concert at Vina Robles Winery in Paso Robles.

The Los Angeles-based Denali String Quartet will play works by Henryk Gorecki, Heitor Villa Lobos and Johannes Brahms.

On Friday, Santa Barbara pianist William Koseluk presents a program of late Romantic works at Cass Winery in Paso Robles. Winner of the Baldwin Piano Competition, Koseluk will perform Paderewski’s “Piano Sonata, Op. 21” and selections from Edvard Grieg’s “Lyric Pieces.”

Saturday features a full day of music at the Paso Robles Inn ballroom, starting with an afternoon concert by the winners of this year’s Paderewski Youth Piano Competition.

“You walk in and see these 10-and 12-year-old kids playing piano and it gives you goosebumps,” Peterson said. “They’re so good.”

This year, organizers expanded the contest — originally restricted to San Luis Obispo County residents — to include young performers from Monterey and Santa Barbara counties. Twenty-four performers ages 10 to 18 competed for a collective $2,450 in prize money and the privilege of performing at the festival.

Arroyo Grande resident Gianna Zufall, 12, took third place, while 13-year-old Rory McClish of Morro Bay received honorable mention.

After a wine reception and dinner break, a more seasoned performer sits down at the keyboard.

Polish-born pianist Hubert Rutkowski will perform Romantic works by Frederic Chopin and his friend and pupil Julian Fontana, as well as music by fellow Poles Paderewski and Teodor Leschetizky. He’s making his first visit to Paso Robles.

Saturday’s festivities coincide with Elegant Evening Downtown, an annual fundraiser by the Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association. Organizers encourage attendees to shop, dine and take in a concert.

The Paderewski Festival closes Sunday morning with a champagne brunch at Vinoteca Wine Bar in downtown Paso Robles. Peterson described it as a “wrap event” that gives festival-goers one last chance to rub elbows with performers.

Celebration of a life

Paderewski’s personal legacy is also on display during the festival.

Visitors can view memorabilia, including autographed photos and the original Rancho San Ignacio sign at the Carnegie Library and Paso Robles Pioneer Museum, through Sunday. Both Paso Robles museums will offer docent-guided tours and special lectures.

Festival-goers who purchase the $200 Friends of Paderewski pass could also get a glimpse of Paderewski’s San Ignacio ranch, located off Peachy Canyon Road in Paso Robles.

New owners Bill and Liz Armstrong plan to pay tribute to the property’s roots by starting a winery, Epoch Estate Wines. They’ll pour their wines for the first time Saturday, Peterson said.

Organizers stress that Paderewski Festival means more than just good music and good wine.

“It’s a festival that celebrates Paderewski’s life,” Peterson said.