P.O. Box 272
Paso Robles, California USA 93447
(805) 239-4437
info@paderewskifest.com
Board of Directors
Joel Peterson
President
Stephen Cass
Secretary
Robert Fonarow
Treasurer
Rachel Hamilton
Youth Competition
Gary Nemeth
Paso Robles City Council Liaison
Paula O'Farrell
Marketing
Marek Zebrowski
Artistic Director
2008 Advisory Board
Mike Gibson
Frank Mecham
Norma Moye
Barbara Partridge
November 13 - 16, 2008
Paso Robles, California
Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941), a virtuoso pianist, composer, politician, humanitarian and orator was one of the most cherished figures of the 20th century. His musical legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians around the world.
Paderewski first purchased land in Paso Robles in 1914, after a long-term residency at the Paso Robles Inn, and was active in farming in the area for over 25 years. The ranches covered over 3,000 acres on which he planted almonds and fruit trees. Paderewski became a commercial grape grower in the early 1920s, launching a trend that continues to be very successful today.
The Paderewski Festival celebrates the legacy of this extraordinary pianist and composer, head of state, and widely-praised humanitarian. The purpose of the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles is to educate the community about Paderewski's close ties to Paso Robles, his accomplishments in the world of music, and his leading role on the political scene in Poland, Europe and the United States during the first half of the twentieth century. Paderewski's wish of supporting musical culture in Paso Robles is realized by the Festival organizers through the annual Paderewski Young Pianists' Competition. Winners of this competition are featured in a special concert that is free and open to the public. Each year, a Festival Gala Concert features internationally-recognized artists, bringing the highest caliber of music-making to Paderewski's favorite resting place in America. In addition to these events, the Paderewski Festival is dedicated to providing other artistic and educational opportunities to the community that will celebrate the life of Paso's most famous citizen.
2008 Festival Highlights
Concert by Midnight Winds
Music by Chopin, Paderewski, Kilar, and others.
Thursday, November 13, 2008, 7 pm
"An Evening with Paderewski"
Featuring Rodolfas Budginas, piano
Friday, November 14, 2008, 6 pm - 10 pm
Concert featuring winners of the Paderewski Young Pianists' Competition
Saturday, November 15, 2008, 4 pm
Paderewski Festival Gala Concert
Featuring Nikita Mndoyants, piano
Works by Paderewski, Chopin, Beethoven, Liszt, and Mndoyants.
Saturday, November 15, 2008, 8 pm
Click here for a complete listing of the schedule of events.
Youth Competition
- Participants from San Luis Obispo County compete for the opportunity to perform at the Winners' Concert in the Paso Robles' Inn Ballroom during the Paderewski Festival.
- The competition, organized by Cuesta College, North County, offers two age categories: Junior (ages 10-14) and Senior (ages 15-18).
- The Youth Competition Jury will select winners in each age category and award individual cash prizes. Coaching with established artists as well as additional performing opportunities and participation in international musical exchange programs will be made available to all competition finalists..