Grażyna Bacewicz: Complete Orchestral Works Vol. 3

Featuring

Łukasz Borowicz
WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
Grażyna Bacewicz

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Recording & Production

This album concludes the first-ever complete recording of Grażyna Bacewicz's symphonic works, all performed by the WDR Sinfonieorchester.

Historical Context

During World War II, Grażyna Bacewicz spent the occupation years in Warsaw, actively participating in the underground musical life and continuing to compose despite the lack of performance opportunities.

Composer's Artistic Vision

After World War II, under communist rule, Grażyna Bacewicz used the 'national' character of her music, derived from folklore, as an asset, while avoiding 'socialist contents' by adhering to absolute instrumental music.

Composer Biography

Bacewicz studied violin and composition at the Warsaw Conservatory and later refined her compositional skills in Paris with Nadia Boulanger, a renowned French composer and teacher.

Composer Biography

Grażyna Bacewicz, born in Łódź in 1909, came from a multinational family: her mother was Polish, and her father, Vincas Bacevicius, was Lithuanian.

Performer Biography

Łukasz Borowicz, the conductor, is Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Poznań Philharmonic and Principal Guest Conductor of the Cracow Philharmonic.

Composition History

Grażyna Bacewicz's Symphony No. 1, completed in 1945, is presented here in its world premiere recording, as the composer never allowed it to be published.