The Resume

(November 18, 1860-June 29, 1941)
Born in Kurilovka, Ukraine
Classical pianist/composer/Polish nationalist and politician
Known for his interpretations of Bach, Schumann and Chopin
Wrote 'Minuet in G' (1887), the opera 'Manru' (1901) and 'Symphony in B Minor (Polonia)' (1909)
Spokesperson for the Polish National Committee during WWI
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs for Poland (January-December, 1919)
Polish ambassador to the League of Nations (1919-22)
Head of the Polish National Council in exile during WWII
Buried at Arlington National Cemetary
Remains transfered to St. John's Cathedral in Warsaw after the fall of Communism in Poland

Why he might be annoying:

He was expelled from the Warsaw Conservatory after a fight with the orchestra director.
He fell in love with his best friend's wife, and wed her after convincing the friend to have the marriage annulled on a technicality.
During his debut in England, a critic compared his playing to 'the march of an abnormally active mammoth across the keyboard.'
During a tour of America, he visited a brothel to learn the bawdy song 'Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-Dee-Ay' from the house pianist.
As prime minister of Poland, his support quickly faded and he resigned in less than a year.

Why he might not be annoying:

His first wife died in childbirth.
Actress Helena Modjeska said that in his youth he resembled 'one of Botticelli's or Fra Angelico's angels.'
When audience members would talk during his concerts, he would stop playing and say, 'I don't want to interrupt your conversation.'
One critic wrote, 'Before the arrival of the Beatles, probably no European performer equaled Paderewski's impact on Americans.'
He personally persuaded President Woodrow Wilson to include Polish independence in his Fourteen Points for a postwar settlement.
During his rule in Poland, when he was 58, he personally overwhelmed a knife-wielding would-be assassin.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 43]
• I am of Polish Extraction
• I am on a U.S. Postage Stamp [M-Q]
• I Died in 1941 (Ranked: 80)
• I Have a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame[M-Q]
• I Sought Political Office
• I Survived an Assassination Attempt
• I Was Expelled From School
• I'm Buried at Arlington National Cemetery [Virginia]
• I'm Remembered in a Tribute Song
• In Town for The World's Fair at the Columbian Exposition [1893-Chicago]
• Look at Me, I'm Postage
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Opera Singers and Composers
• Profiles 33001-33250 (Ranked: 33127)
• Wife Thieves

Year In Review:

In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 25 Votes: 52.00% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 93 Votes: 60.22% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 6 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 26 Votes: 80.77% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 122 Votes: 61.48% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 106 Votes: 55.66% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 97 Votes: 60.82% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 312 Votes: 72.44% Annoying