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Violin Odyssey: Bacewicz vol. 1 is the new album by Polish violin virtuoso Janusz Wawrowski, released on streaming platforms by Warner Classics on February 5, 2025—the birthday of Grażyna Bacewicz, the greatest Polish female composer of the 20th century. This marks the beginning of Wawrowski’s long-term project to record all of Bacewicz’s violin works. The artist is accompanied by the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Modestas Pitrėnas, as well as pianist Tymoteusz Bies.
Janusz Wawrowski invites us on a musical journey, primarily presenting solo pieces, including two Sonatas, Caprices, a Partita, and the Violin Concerto No. 7—one of Bacewicz’s most intriguing works, where the composer masterfully balances between lyricism and energy. Known for his virtuosity and passion for uncovering the treasures of Polish music, Wawrowski delivers interpretations filled with precision and emotion.
Wawrowski’s collaboration with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and Modestas Pitrėnas is no coincidence—it is a tribute to Grażyna Bacewicz’s Polish-Lithuanian heritage.
Violin Odyssey: Bacewicz vol. 1 also holds a remarkable surprise—the world premiere of Grażyna Bacewicz’s arrangement of Nicolò Paganini’s Caprice No. 24 in A minor for violin and piano. Wawrowski is joined by outstanding young pianist Tymoteusz Bies.
This album is not only a true celebration of the violin but also the beginning of a series of releases that may play a key role in popularizing Bacewicz’s music worldwide.
The project is produced by the Zygmunt Noskowski Foundation, with partners including the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, and the Polish Institute in Vilnius. It has been co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.
The Winter Academy of Music is a prestigious series of masterclasses, whose 13th edition will take place in 2025. Organized by the Krzysztof Penderecki European Centre for Music, the academy attracts young instrumentalists from around the world, with over 3,500 musicians having graduated from its programs to date.
During the 5th session, the renowned violinist Janusz Wawrowski will share his expertise and warmly invites all young violinists to participate in his classes.
Each session will conclude with a concert featuring representatives of the masterclasses. Admission to the concerts is free, but advance reservation of tickets through the booking system is required. Don’t miss this unique opportunity!
The project “Grażyna Bacewicz: Inspirations for the New Generation” aims to delve into the works of the distinguished Polish composer, record interviews with experts, and make them available online to promote her music to a wider audience.
My guests were:
Feliksas Bajoras, born in 1934 in Alytus, is one of the most prominent contemporary Lithuanian composers. His musical education was closely linked to the Bacewicz family, as he initially studied music in Kaunas under Vincas Bacevičius, the father of Grażyna Bacewicz.
Professor Roman Lasocki, born in 1948 in Łódź, graduated with honors from the State Higher School of Music in Łódź under Franciszek Jamry, and further honed his skills under masters such as André Gertler, Henryk Szeryng, Tadeusz Wroński, and Stanisław Lewandowski.
Aleksandra Świgut is a laureate of numerous piano competitions, renowned for her interpretations of both classical and contemporary music. Our collaboration includes numerous concerts where we present pieces by Grażyna Bacewicz, such as “Legenda,” “Taniec mazowiecki,” and “Oberek No. 2.”
Tymoteusz Bies is a laureate of numerous piano competitions, renowned for his interpretations of both classical and contemporary music. Our collaboration includes numerous concerts where we have presented pieces by Grażyna Bacewicz, such as “Witraż,” “Sonata da Camera,” “Caprice No. 24” (Paganini/Bacewicz), and “Taniec Mazowiecki.”
Sfinansowane przez Unię Europejską NextGenerationEU
Funded by the European Union NextGenerationEU
On February 5, 2025 – the birthday of Grażyna Bacewicz, the greatest Polish composer of the 20th century – Janusz Wawrowski’s latest album, released by Warner Classics, will make its debut. Violin Odyssey: Bacewicz vol. 1 marks the beginning of a multi-year project in which the Polish violin virtuoso embarks on recording all the violin works of this extraordinary artist.
The album features pieces such as two Sonatas for solo violin, Caprices, the Partita, and the VII Violin Concerto – one of Bacewicz’s most distinctive works, blending lyricism with dynamic virtuosity. Janusz Wawrowski is accompanied by the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Modestas Pitrėnas, as well as pianist Tymoteusz Bies. The collaboration with the Lithuanian orchestra pays tribute to the Polish-Lithuanian roots of the composer.
The album also holds a special surprise – the world premiere recording of Grażyna Bacewicz’s arrangement of Nicolò Paganini’s 24th Caprice in A minor, performed by Wawrowski and Tymoteusz Bies.
Violin Odyssey: Bacewicz vol. 1 is a musical journey filled with virtuosity, emotion, and discovery, heralding a new era in the global promotion of Bacewicz’s legacy. The album will be available on streaming platforms starting February 5, 2025.
The project is produced by the Z. Noskowski Foundation. Project partners include the Adam Mickiewicz Institute and the Polish Institute in Vilnius. Supported by funding from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.