Grażyna Bacewicz Biernacka was a Polish composer and violinist of Lithuanian origin. She is the second Polish female composer to achieve national and international recognition, following Maria Szymanowska. Bacewicz was born in Łódź and began her musical education early, taught by her father. She was the third of four children and performed her first concert at seven. In 1928, she studied at the Warsaw Conservatory, focusing on violin and composition. After graduating, she became a concertmaster and composed her first violin concerto.

During World War II, she secretly performed and composed in Warsaw. After the war, she became a professor at the State Conservatoire of Music in Łódź. Despite challenges, including a car accident that limited her ability to perform, she focused on composition. Her works include seven violin concertos and four symphonies. Bacewicz’s music became a highlight at the Warsaw Autumn Festival, and she continued composing until her death in 1969.