The Polish Obsession

Paderewski by Adam Zamoyski

289 pp. (Collins, 1982)

How few remember Paderewski, who only fifty years ago was the idol of the music-loving public all over the world. His records, perhaps because of their poor technical quality, are seldom played and his compositions are virtually forgotten. Yet, at the turn of the century he dominated the music scene of the world. He was declared a genius by many critics and he packed concert halls wherever he appeared. He can perhaps be regarded as the first pop star, but in a different world, a world in which romantic- ism evoked artistic emotions.