Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-1969)

[The new erato]

Let me plug Krzysztof Meyer and his wonderful string quartets on Naxos.

[Scion7]

The broadcast of the 4th symphony is finally on YouTube - the issue is, the manuscript was never formally published - the Polish Radio Symphony performance worked off her copies.  So, I would imagine that someone will need to push for this to be published first.  While it did come towards the end of her life, for whatever reasons - rewrite after hearing the performance, looking for a non-commie deal for it - she didn't have it published. UPDATE: it was not her 4th.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

A Brief History of the Composer (+ CD Review)

Classical CD Of The Week: Krystian Zimerman And A Brush With Grażyna


A Brush With Grażyna

I had my first brush with the music of Grażyna Bacewicz at a Krystian Zimerman recital at Baltimore's Shriver Hall that opened their 40th Anniversary Piano Celebration in 2006. Concluding a very fine recital (albeit marred by Zimerman's gratuitous political ranting; see: "Political Piano at Shriver Hall"), he played Grażyna Bacewicz' Piano Sonata No.2. After that, he was off, commendably encore-less, despite wildest ovations. At the time I described the impression thus: "Music that has its home in a black pool of deep sounds all the way on the left of the keyboard, it jumps to life, repeatedly, into the higher register. Every one of its three movements ends contemplatively. It was delivered with panache [...], it is a work obviously close to his heart, and he won many new ears for it with his performance."...

[André]

The second sonata is indeed close to his heart. He recorded it twice, first as a very young man and later in his career (in this DG disc). I wonder how the two compare ?

[SurprisedByBeauty]

The second sonata is indeed close to his heart. He recorded it twice, first as a very young man and later in his career (in this DG disc). I wonder how the two compare ?

has anyone here got the Olympia recording? (Olympia presumably wasn't even the original label... they did mostly shady re-issues) It is hopelessly out of print.

[Baron Scarpia]

has anyone here got the Olympia recording? (Olympia presumably wasn't even the original label... they did mostly shady re-issues) It is hopelessly out of print.

The Olympia release seems to have license information

[Cato]

For your consideration:

https://www.youtube.com/v/V9s_Niog0J4

[Daverz]

has anyone here got the Olympia recording? (Olympia presumably wasn't even the original label... they did mostly shady re-issues) It is hopelessly out of print.

Why do you say they were shady?

[SurprisedByBeauty]

Why do you say they were shady?

The people from Melodiya were bitching about them in shrill tones. Perhaps Olympia explored some gray territory when the scene (and countries?) were in upheaval.

I suppose I wouldn't-shouldn't apply that "shady" sobriquet" to the label as such.

[André]

has anyone here got the Olympia recording? (Olympia presumably wasn't even the original label... they did mostly shady re-issues) It is hopelessly out of print.

I believe it was issued first on the polish label, Polskie nagranya





Its discmate was the Pathétique sonata...

[Baron Scarpia]

I believe it was issued first on the polish label, Polskie nagranya

That's what the licensing information on the Olympia CD says.

[snyprrr]

I think she bears a striking resemblance to Lutoslawski... the eyes and the nose...

[Brahmsian]

Just listened to Bacewicz for the very first time last night, and I really enjoyed what I heard - her Concert for String Orchestra

In preparation for a live performance I'm attending this evening.

The performance I listened to last night was a you tube performance by the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra.

[SymphonicAddict]

Lately I've been listening to this set of her complete violin and piano works. I had already enjoyed her violin concertos on Chandos, finding them utterly enjoyable and somewhat folksy (some of them).

The music on this set is absolutely wonderful, quite a discovery for me. By hearing this I often associate her style with that by Martinu in that there are traces of neoclassicism and folk gestures. The rhythmic vitality is another appeal too. I'm not an expert on Bacewicz, but this compilation of works looks essential.

Now Bacewicz is a clear favorite Polish of mine, along with Lutoslawski, Penderecki, Szymanowski, Chopin, Noskowski and Wieniawski.

[Mirror Image]

Lately I've been listening to this set of her complete violin and piano works. I had already enjoyed her violin concertos on Chandos, finding them utterly enjoyable and somewhat folksy (some of them).

The music on this set is absolutely wonderful, quite a discovery for me. By hearing this I often associate her style with that by Martinu in that there are traces of neoclassicism and folk gestures. The rhythmic vitality is another appeal too. I'm not an expert on Bacewicz, but this compilation of works looks essential.

Now Bacewicz is a clear favorite Polish of mine, along with Lutoslawski, Penderecki, Szymanowski, Chopin, Noskowski and Wieniawski.

Very nice. I have that set of violin/piano music, but I haven't listened to any of it yet. You've now given me a good reason to.

[SymphonicAddict]

Very nice. I have that set of violin/piano music, but I haven't listened to any of it yet. You've now given me a good reason to.

In my case, it's been some good invested time. When you consider pertinent, please do it. Even the many miniatures on the set are incredible.

[Mirror Image]

In my case, it's been some good invested time. When you consider pertinent, please do it. Even the many miniatures on the set are incredible.

Nice to hear, SymphonicAddict. I'll definitely have to give some of this set a listen soon.

[kyjo]

Lately I've been listening to this set of her complete violin and piano works. I had already enjoyed her violin concertos on Chandos, finding them utterly enjoyable and somewhat folksy (some of them).

The music on this set is absolutely wonderful, quite a discovery for me. By hearing this I often associate her style with that by Martinu in that there are traces of neoclassicism and folk gestures. The rhythmic vitality is another appeal too. I'm not an expert on Bacewicz, but this compilation of works looks essential.

Now Bacewicz is a clear favorite Polish of mine, along with Lutoslawski, Penderecki, Szymanowski, Chopin, Noskowski and Wieniawski.

To the bolded text - no Karlowicz?

Bacewicz is a composer I need to explore more. I've greatly enjoyed what I've heard of hers (Concerto for String Orchestra, Piano Quintet no. 1, etc). I'm really surprised no one has issued modern recordings of her four symphonies, considering the increasing interest in female composers recently.

[SymphonicAddict]

To the bolded text - no Karlowicz?

Bacewicz is a composer I need to explore more. I've greatly enjoyed what I've heard of hers (Concerto for String Orchestra, Piano Quintet no. 1, etc). I'm really surprised no one has issued modern recordings of her four symphonies, considering the increasing interest in female composers recently.

Oh yes, you're quite right, Kyle, I forgot him. Karlowicz must undoubtedly be in my list. And I also agree about the need of the recordings of the non-recorded-yet symphonies (1, 2 and 4 iirc). I remember having the No. 3 but I've never have tried it.

[Ghost of Baron Scarpia]

Lately I've been listening to this set of her complete violin and piano works. I had already enjoyed her violin concertos on Chandos, finding them utterly enjoyable and somewhat folksy (some of them).

The music on this set is absolutely wonderful, quite a discovery for me. By hearing this I often associate her style with that by Martinu in that there are traces of neoclassicism and folk gestures. The rhythmic vitality is another appeal too. I'm not an expert on Bacewicz, but this compilation of works looks essential.

Now Bacewicz is a clear favorite Polish of mine, along with Lutoslawski, Penderecki, Szymanowski, Chopin, Noskowski and Wieniawski.

An attractive set, although I'm a little put off that the sonatas are padded to two discs with "miniatures" which I usually don't go for. But given how much I enjoy Bacewicz's work I should spring for this. Thanks for bring it to our attention.