According to the album’s liner notes, this release presents three neoclassical piano quintets. It does if we understand the term at its broadest definition. Grazyna Bacewicz’s first piano quintet does fit the term, at least in form. But this 1952 work has more in common with Igor Stravinsky’s take on the term than Ottorino Resphigi’s. […]
Grazyna Bacewicz
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20th Century Feminine 100% Good
This release features four very important — and very different — female composers. Though all three wrote music in the 20th Century, separated by time and geography. Violinist Louise Chisson and pianist Tamara Atschba perform with passion and conviction. Their playing — and the quality of the works — make this a rewarding listening experience. The […]
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Grazyna Bacewicz Piano Music in Good Hands With Joanna Sochacka
Pianist Joanna Sochacka is a woman on a mission. And that mission is for Grazyna Bacewicz’s compositions to receive the performances they deserve. Bacewicz is already recognized as one of Poland’s musical geniuses. She was both a virtuoso violinist and pianist. Her compositions won numerous awards and critical acclaim. And yet, sixty years after her […]
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Julia Kociuban energizes Tansman and Bacewicz concertos
Julia Kociuban delivers spectacular performances of two 20th Century piano concertos. Alexander Tansman’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Grazyna Bacewicz’s Piano Concerto are, in my opinion, greatly under-appreciated. I came to that conclusion after hearing this recording. Alexander Tansman wrote his Piano Concerto No. 1 while living in Paris. Its neo-classical styling strongly reminded me […]
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#ClassicsaDay #WomensHistoryMonth Week 2
For the third year in a row, the Classics a Day team has chosen women composers as March’s theme. And while some composers (living and dead) have received their due, there are thousands more to discover and rediscover. I challenged myself this year to seek out women composers I had not featured in previous years. […]
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Bacewicz string quartet cycle off to good start
In their survey of string quartets by Grazyna Bacewicz, the Lutoslawski Quartet has done something interesting: they don’t present them in order. Volume 1 of the series features four of Bacewicz’s seven quartets. It opens with the 1960 String Quartet No. 6, one of her more avant garde quartets. Bacewicz uses a version of 12-tone […]