The latest book by PWM Edition – Danuta Gwizdalanka's Uwodziciel [The Seducer] will appear in bookstores on 29 March 2021. This new biography of Karol Szymanowski will make you blush.
The author decided to present Szymanowski's story, deviating from the classic biography which chronologically describes the protagonist's life. The opening chapters concern Szymanowski's relationship – with family, friends and acquaintances from all over the world. The artist's work is the main theme of the following chapters. We get to know him as a composer and pianist, as well as a poet and writer. Danuta Gwizdalanka somehow deals with all the myths about Karol Szymanowski.
As she writes in the preface: "I decided [...] to look at the author of Harnasie, assuming that in the 21st century we have no reason to fall into any complexes or to asses uncreatically the creators of national culture." Danuta Gwizdalanka observes Szymanowski with a detective flair. She reaches for a rich correspondence, numerous memories, and documents from the period. The book shows an image of a man aware of his genius, overwhelmed by the fact that he is ahead of his time, internally torn both by his homosexuality and his life on the verge in bohemian miasmata, capricious and irresistible at the same time.
The book is crowned with a gallery of the artist's portraits created by his literary friends.
More information: https://pwm.com.pl/