The Contribution of Grayzyna Bacewicz (1909-69) to Polish Music

The music of Grazyna Bacewicz occupies an important place in the 20th century.

Though she wrote more than 200 compositions, from the symphonic cycle down to the single movement art song, it is her large compositional forms that have received the most attention, both in performance and analysis.

This work provides an analysis of 12 songs written by Bacewicz between 1934 and 1956.

They are analyzed with a consideration of text setting, melodic line and vocal range, formal structure, harmony, texture and tonality.

An English translation of each Polish poem is also included.