Help Us Celebrate the Legacy of Grażyna Bacewicz.

As the Karski Quartet, we have always been driven by a deep passion for music, a spirit of collaboration, and a desire to connect with our audience in meaningful ways.

Music has the power to connect us across time, culture, and generations. It tells stories beyond words, carrying the voices of those who came before us. We believe in music’s ability to inspire, challenge, and move people in ways that transcend language.

Since our founding in 2018, we have dedicated ourselves to exploring the rich and diverse world of string quartet repertoire, bringing both beloved classics and hidden gems to life. Now, we are embarking on a project that is particularly close to our hearts - a CD recording dedicated to the extraordinary music of Grażyna Bacewicz, with our friend and fantastic pianist Jâms Coleman joining us on piano.

Why Grażyna Bacewicz?

Grażyna Bacewicz was a true trailblazer. Born in Poland in 1909, she made a lasting impact on classical music as a composer, violinist, and educator. At a time when women in classical music faced immense challenges, she persevered through sheer talent, determination, and originality.

Links with Belgium? Bacewicz won first prize at the International Composition Competition in Liege in 1951, as well as second prize at the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Composition in 1965, Brussels.

Her music is a powerful testament to her individuality, strength, and artistic vision. It is vibrant, energetic, and deeply expressive. Bacewicz seamlessly blends Polish folk traditions with the sophisticated structures of classical composition, creating works that are both innovative and profoundly moving.

Her string quartets are among the most striking examples of her genius - bold, rhythmic, and emotionally rich. Yet despite her remarkable contributions, her music is still not as widely recognized as it deserves to be.

With this album, we want to change that. We want to introduce her work to a wider audience, celebrate her achievements, and ensure that her legacy continues to inspire musicians and listeners alike.

The album will consist of:

String Quartet no. 4
Piano Quintet no.1

A set of the Polish folk songs arranged for string quartet.

Oberek arr. Pawel Czarny
Lipenka arr. Ignacy Zalewski
Lipenka arr. Karski Quartet

Karski Quartet Records Bacewicz

Karski Quartet Records Bacewicz