Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-1969)

[ChamberNut]

Wow, I love this disc! The Concert Krakowiak, cited by ChamberNut as one of his favorite Bacewicz pieces, is the first of a whole series of piano fireworks. The sonatas have such great energy and zeal; the etudes remind me of etudes by Tcherepnin. It's all like Prokofiev meets Polish folk meets neoclassical austerity. Sonata No. 2 also reminds me of the Griffes and Barber sonatas, by way of more continental modernism/flirting with 12 tone. Bacewicz had more energy and passion to get out of her system than most other composers, I think sometimes.  What a collection.

@Brian You can also check out this great disc by Lithuanian pianist Morta Grigaliūnaitė. As you likely know, Bacewicz was half Lithuanian. Although I do prefer the Jablonski, this is excellent. Includes that Concert Krakowiak.



Bacewicz' music is as energetic as a 1 ton nuclear bomb.

[Harry]

@Brian You can also check out this great disc by Lithuanian pianist Morta Grigaliūnaitė. As you likely know, Bacewicz was half Lithuanian. Although I do prefer the Jablonski, this is excellent. Includes that Concert Krakowiak.



Bacewicz' music is as energetic as a 1 ton nuclear bomb.

I rather prefer her

[Brian]

@Brian You can also check out this great disc by Lithuanian pianist Morta Grigaliūnaitė. As you likely know, Bacewicz was half Lithuanian. Although I do prefer the Jablonski, this is excellent. Includes that Concert Krakowiak.



Bacewicz' music is as energetic as a 1 ton nuclear bomb.

Ohhh, I am just now learning that Vytautas Bacevicius is her brother!

[Christo]

Ohhh, I am just now learning that Vytautas Bacevicius is her brother!

I know that there is a deep-rooted American habit of spelling names as wrongly as possible (American family names are therefore the greatest mess worldwide. Trump's German grandfather, believe it or not, was Friedrich Trumpf. Gershwin was born Jakov Gershowitz). Vytautas Bacevičius younger sister was indeed Grażyna Bacewicz, or in Lithuanian: Gražina Bacevičiūtė. In the States they would both have become the "Baker family", or something. 

[Brian]

I know that there is a deep-rooted American habit of spelling names as wrongly as possible (American family names are therefore the greatest mess worldwide. Trump's German grandfather, believe it or not, was Friedrich Trumpf). Vytautas Bacevičius younger sister was indeed Grażyna Bacewicz, or in Lithuanian: Gražina Bacevičiūtė. In the States they would both have become the "Baker family", or something. 

Come to think of it, there is an American military historian of Lithuanian descent whose name here is spelled Andrew Bacevich.

[Brian]

Coming this summer. Peter Donohoe takes the solo in the piano concerto.

[Christo]

Vytautas Bacevičius younger sister was indeed Grażyna Bacewicz, or in Lithuanian: Gražina Bacevičiūtė.

I forgot to mention that "Mrs. Bacevičius" makes Bacevičienė, indeed a common name. 

[Symphonic Addict]

Coming this summer. Peter Donohoe takes the solo in the piano concerto.

Interesting. This is the 2nd recording of the flaming Piano Concerto.

I wonder if CPO will also record the concertos apart from the Concerto for orchestra.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Coming this summer. Peter Donohoe takes the solo in the piano concerto.

This certainly needs to be brought to the attention of @ChamberNut.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Bacewicz remains a rather elusive composer to me. I've been trying for quite some time to get a better idea of where she's coming from musically-speaking and I just find myself unengaged with her music as time wears on. Perhaps I'll get back into her music at some point, but I think what really put me off were those disappointing CPO recordings, which I find to be ho-hum.

[Spotted Horses]

Coming this summer. Peter Donohoe takes the solo in the piano concerto.

Delighted that the Chandos series is continuing and we will have alternatives for the works for orchestra (although there are already several great options for the piano concerto).

[Symphonic Addict]

I do consider myself an admirer of her talent, which is widely palpable from the chamber music to the orchestral compositions, albeit I do have some reservations regarding the first two symphonies and the two cello concertos. However, it is in the realm of chamber music where she shines the best methinks. Her cycle of string quartets, for instance, represents an evolutionary journey from the neoclassical to the avant-garde, with each work being worthy of attention. Moreover, she had a daring ear for sonorities and interesting combinations of works, like her Trio for oboe, harp and percussion. Not for the faint of heart!

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

I do consider myself an admirer of her talent, which is widely palpable from the chamber music to the orchestral compositions, albeit I do have some reservations regarding the first two symphonies and the two cello concertos. However, it is in the realm of chamber music where she shines the best methinks. Her cycle of string quartets, for instance, represents an evolutionary journey from the neoclassical to the avant-garde, with each work being worthy of attention. Moreover, she had a daring ear for sonorities and interesting combinations of works, like her Trio for oboe, harp and percussion. Not for the faint of heart!

Thanks, Cesar. I'll have to give her chamber music a more careful listen, especially the SQs.