Classical Music | Piano Music

Ignacy Jan Paderewski

Minuet in G Op. 14 no.1  Play

David-Michael Dunbar Piano

Recorded on 09/27/2010, uploaded on 07/30/2011

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Minuet in G Op. 14 no.1           Paderewski.   Played by pianist David-Michael Dunbar.

Ignacy Jan PADEREWSKI  born November 6, 1860-1941.  Discouraged by his teachers from becoming a pianist, he launched his career in 1885 and literally swept the world with his playing and dynamic personality.When Paderewski was 26 (1886) and still living in Poland, he made friends with a distinguished physician, Professor Chalubinski. He often invited Paderewski to his house for dinner. Paderweski usually played Mozart, the favourite composer among all the guests. However, Paderewski only knew a few Mozart pieces at this time and decided to play a joke on these gentlemen. He improvised a minuet in the style of Mozart and played it for them the next time they gathered for dinner. As soon as he finished, they exclaimed, "Wonderful! No one can compose music like Mozart."  Paderewski then confessed that he was the actual composer; they were hurt and did not believe him.  However, the next time Paderewski played for them, they asked for his Minuet and every time after that. The Minuet in G became popular worldwide and every pianist of note played it. At the end of Paderewski's concerts, the audiences would not let him leave until he played the Minuet as an encore!