Continuing the symphonic story of Grażyna Bacewicz (1909-69) with three works dedicated to conductor Witold Rowicki (“Witoldowi Rowickiemu”). Symphony No.2 (1950) opens pensively and has an epic feel, which develops in terms of content if not in length, the four compact movements vividly communicative and dripping with energy and eloquence, sonorously scored, the shadowy slow movement countered by a skittish Scherzo and then a Finale, not without its lighthearted moments, that exudes a real sense of arrival to complete a work that is a joy to discover. Similarly, from the year before, the Piano Concerto is attractive throughout, lyrical – romantic meets something later in style, and with rhythmic panache – a cosmopolitan composition that finds a superb soloist in Peter Donohoe. With the Concerto for Large Symphony Orchestra (1962) Bacewicz appears to join the avant-gardists … or does she(?), for she might just be taking the mickey out of such composers; whether she is or isn’t, it’s fun to try and reach a conclusion as to which it is, and this is just the performance to help decide. Indeed, all three accounts are marvellously dedicated and perceptive, with production values (Brian Pidgeon) and recorded sound (Jonathan Cooper) that is complementary to the revealing music-making. Chandos CHSA 5345 [SACD] will hopefully be followed by at least one more Bacewicz release, to include the First Symphony.

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