Grażyna Bacewicz 25 -29 May

[french frank]

The women composers' season has been making a bit of difference:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05w7tdv

Grażyna Bacewicz packed a lot into her relatively short life. She began to write music at the age of 13 and by the time of her death at the age of 59 in 1969, she left behind a legacy of over two hundred compositions, including symphonies, concertos and other works for orchestra, string quartets and sonatas.

With Prof Adrian Thomas, Emeritus Professor of Music, Cardiff University.

[ahinton]

The women composers' season has been making a bit of difference:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05w7tdv

Grażyna Bacewicz packed a lot into her relatively short life. She began to write music at the age of 13 and by the time of her death at the age of 59 in 1969, she left behind a legacy of over two hundred compositions, including symphonies, concertos and other works for orchestra, string quartets and sonatas.

With Prof Adrian Thomas, Emeritus Professor of Music, Cardiff University.

Just seen this in RT; I shall look forward to these programmes - a very fine and still woefully underrated composer!

[Roehre]

Just seen this in RT; I shall look forward to these programmes - a very fine and still woefully underrated composer!

I have to use iPlayer again for this, but I am definitely looking forward to this CotW.
I am not complaining at all the last couple of weeks: Widor, Schütz, Bacewicz.....

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Just seen this in RT; I shall look forward to these programmes - a very fine and still woefully underrated composer!

[Lento]

Studied with Boulanger, according to Wiki.

[edashtav]

Just seen this in RT; I shall look forward to these programmes - a very fine and still woefully underrated composer!

I agree. I've just looked out my huge and battered score of her Piano Concerto written for the Warsaw Chopin competition of 1949 - it's full of clearly etched, often muscular, ideas and the score, like all of her works, is never overloaded but remains transparent and full of sparkling wit. With the present upsurge in interest in female composers, it's marvellous that CotW has decided to showcase her talent. I'm really looking forward to getting to know more of her work.

[Quarky]

The women composers' season has been making a bit of difference:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05w7tdv

.

Agreed, fresh and engaging compositions.

But I can contain myself no longer. Episode 2 mentioned Overture for orchestra, beginning with a string of Vs in morse code, taken from Allied use of motif of Beethoven's 5th, signifying V for Victory - but these days meaning "is this frequency clear?"

My point is that subjecting a musical composition to a procrustean exercise of making it fit a sequence of morse code characters, is an excellent way of penetrating further into a composition, or refreshing jaded ears when listening to a well known piece of music.

That at least was my discovery, since I spend some time these days on morse code, and was finding that after a morse code session, that I was automatically analysing a piece of music in terms of morse code. To my surprise if I did this deliberately, the composition became much more "alive".

No doubt, musicians /teachers will have an explanation for all this.

[BBMmk2]

I found that this composer has left, indeed, a legacy that her music is beyond reproach. A composer that is in the premier league of composers and should have more time on the airwaves. These programmes have been just on the tip of the iceberg as to her output and showing her genius.

It's not often I say these words when I come across a new composer.

[edashtav]

I found that this composer has left, indeed, a legacy that her music is beyond reproach. A composer that is in the premier league of composers and should have more time on the airwaves. These programmes have been just on the tip of the iceberg as to her output and showing her genius.

It's not often I say these words when I come across a new composer.

Well written, bbm, I'm in complete agreement and after a week of exposure, at long last I can pronounce Grażyna Bacewicz's name - far more euphonious and feminine than my former ugly efforts. Another female feather in Radio 3's hat!

[Nick Armstrong]

I found that this composer has left, indeed, a legacy that her music is beyond reproach. A composer that is in the premier league of composers and should have more time on the airwaves. These programmes have been just on the tip of the iceberg as to her output and showing her genius.

It's not often I say these words when I come across a new composer.

I completely agree with this, from what I've heard!

[antongould]

I completely agree with this, from what I've heard!

Just caught this for the first time today and would agree with My Learned Friends........

[DracoM]

Got to say that this has been a revelatory week. Some very exciting and thought-provoking material.
Thx to all.

[Serial_Apologist]

This week has really helped me fill out my aural picture of modern Polish music. COTW has been answering my prayers more of late. Thanks to Radio 3.

[EdgeleyRob]

Yes credit to Radio 3 for a marvelous set of programmes.

http://www.usc.edu/dept/polish_music/composer/bacewicz.html

[peterthekeys]

Sorry to comment so late on this - I've meant to do so for some time. Totally agree about the quality of the music of Bacewicz - very fine composer. I first heard her music in the early 70s - I was at the RNCM, and there was a piano recital by Alicja Fiderkiewicz (at that time just starting out): she ended with Bacewicz's sonata no.2. It blew me away: I went out and ordered a copy the next day (since then, I've occasionally performed the second movement - not (as yet anyway) the whole thing.)