Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-69) is Poland's most acclaimed woman composer of the 20th century. Her affection for folk music runs like a thread through her work and is here reflected in her violin and piano arrangements of traditional dances.

The other music here ranges from the neo-classical Trio of 1934 to the highly original Quartet for Four Cellos (1964). Her works have made an outstanding contribution to string music, as heard here in the Quartet for Four Violins (1949).

She once said of her compositions: 'A lot happens in my music; it's aggressive and at the same time lyrical.' With a strong streak of national pride, her mixture of honesty, melancholy and energy makes this music immediately captivating.