Zygmunt Mycielski. Between Music and Politics – the latest book by Beata Bolesławska-Lewandowska – is the first biography of the composer, intellectual, and witness to a turbulent century. Published by the Polish Music Publishing House (PWM), the book will be available from October 15, 2025, for all those interested not only in music, but also in literature and the history of the 20th century. On October 25 at 4:00 PM, Beata Bolesławska-Lewandowska and Marek Zagańczyk will visit the Zygmunt Mycielski State Primary Music School in Strzyżów for a conversation about the school's patron and the story behind the book.
Zygmunt Mycielski – composer, writer, music critic, and social activist – was a figure who left a lasting mark on the cultural history of Poland. He came from an aristocratic family known for its support of the arts, involvement in science, patriotism, and social work. As the author of diaries and numerous essays, Mycielski left behind a powerful testament to independent thought during times of ideological pressure and political oppression.
His musical works—diverse and praised by critics—are still rarely featured in concert programs. Czesław Miłosz once wrote:
“Zygmunt Mycielski was one of the most remarkable figures of my generation. Our artistic community had few counts, but this one was a success. He combined aristocratic virtues with a casual indifference to social conventions. What remains are his musical compositions, several books on music and composers, and numerous diary notebooks, which, I have no doubt, will prove to be one of the significant works in the history of Polish literature.”
This monumental monograph, spanning over 900 pages, is the result of years of meticulous research. Written with academic precision, yet without scholarly distance, the book will satisfy not only music lovers, but also researchers of 20th-century music. The author does not focus on detailed analysis of Mycielski’s compositional language—though she does not treat it superficially either. His music is portrayed as a "reflection of his broader interests", and his artistic output is presented as inseparable from his life story. Bolesławska-Lewandowska frequently lets Mycielski speak for himself, quoting from his many writings, notes, and letters.
The author openly acknowledges her fascination with Mycielski’s personality and emphasizes that her personal point of view shapes the book’s structure. As she writes:
“When I began working on Zygmunt Mycielski’s biography, I saw my main task as capturing the full breadth of his creative personality—not limiting myself only to his musical or literary work, but portraying a flesh-and-blood creator for whom every endeavor was an expression of a clearly defined worldview. That’s why this book is not a typical monograph with a classic structure of ‘artist and work.’”
— Beata Bolesławska-Lewandowska (excerpt from the book)
Zygmunt Mycielski. Between Music and Politics is part of the PWM series "Polish Composers of the 20th and 21st Centuries", which presents profiles of contemporary Polish composers. A hallmark of the series is its unique cover design: each copy features a distinct variant, making every book one of a kind—just like every performance of a musical piece is unique.
This autumn, readers will have two opportunities to meet the author and discuss the book. The first takes place on October 25 at 4:00 PM in Strzyżów, as mentioned above. The second will be on November 12 at 4:30 PM at the Polish Composers’ Union headquarters (Rynek Starego Miasta 27, Warsaw), where the author will again be in conversation with Marek Zagańczyk. The event is part of the "Meetings with the Composers" series, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Polish Composers’ Union.
The publication will be available from October 15 at the PWM brick-and-mortar bookstore, online bookstores, and selected music bookstores throughout the country.
Press release
