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Composer

Grażyna Bacewicz

1909 — 1969

About

Grażyna Bacewicz

Grażyna Bacewicz
Born in Łódź, Grażyna Bacewicz shaped her own musical destiny – as violinist, composer and latterly teacher – with unquenchable individuality and energy. When she graduated from the Warsaw Conservatoire in 1932 she studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris, and throughout her career as leader of the Polish Radio Orchestra and later as Professor at the Łódź Conservatoire (a car accident ended her playing career in 1954) she composed with unflagging energy, even when the Nazi occupation forced her to give concerts in secret. For Bacewicz, music served as a space of absolute spiritual freedom, and under Communist rule she continued to pursue her own highly individual musical path, drawing on her experience as a violinist to compose powerful cycles of violin concertos (seven in total) and string quartets (also seven), as well as four symphonies and numerous scores for stage, screen and radio. In works such as her Viola Concerto (1968), her Concerto for String Orchestra (1948) and her Third Quartet (1947) she combines a modernist rhythmic drive with intense emotion and often exuberant wit: qualities that have sparked a growing revival of interest in her music in recent years, both on record and in the concert hall.

Grażyna Bacewicz: A Trailblazing Composer and Violin Virtuoso

Grażyna Bacewicz (1909–1969) was a pioneering Polish composer, violin virtuoso, and pianist. Born in Łódź, Bacewicz carved a remarkable path in 20th-century classical music, marked by profound individuality, resilience, and an unyielding creative spirit. Her unique musical journey and significant contributions to stage, screen, radio, and the concert hall have left an indelible mark on the world of classical music.

Education and Early Career

Bacewicz began composing at the tender age of 13, and she mastered both the violin and piano at the Warsaw Conservatory. Her musical formation continued in Paris under the tutelage of the legendary Nadia Boulanger, who greatly admired Bacewicz’s innate talent. By 1936, Bacewicz had become the principal violinist of the Polish Radio Orchestra under Grzegorz Fitelberg. This position allowed her to perform and premiere her own works, gaining early recognition for her dual prowess as a composer and performer.

Resilience During War and Post-War Recognition

During World War II, Bacewicz remained in Warsaw, performing in clandestine concerts and continuing to compose even under the threat of Nazi occupation. After the war, she became a professor at the Warsaw Conservatory. A serious car accident in 1954 led Bacewicz to focus exclusively on composition. Despite political censorship in Communist Poland, Bacewicz’s reputation surged both nationally and internationally, with her works regularly performed and receiving numerous commissions and awards.

Major Works and Musical Style

Bacewicz’s music is celebrated for its neoclassical roots, incorporation of Polish folk traditions, rhythmic dynamism, lyricism, and occasional exuberant wit. Her compositional output spans a remarkable array of genres.

Compositional Output

Bacewicz composed seven violin concertos, which are considered a cornerstone of her oeuvre and a result of her deep connection with the violin. She also created seven string quartets, regarded as some of the most significant quartets of the 20th century. In addition, Bacewicz composed four symphonies and numerous chamber works, concertos for other instruments, and scores for ballet and stage. These works reflect her vibrant energy and unyielding individuality, shaping her own musical journey and leaving a lasting legacy in the world of classical music.