In the first few years after the war Kisielewski and Mycielski jointly edited Ruch Muzyczny. Since then their names have been usually mentioned together. Both combined the profession of composer with that of journalist and music critic. Both were gifted writers. They were appreciated even more for their writings and courage with which they protested against the policy of Poland’s communist government than for their musical works. They remained lifelong friends, although they sometimes argued fiercely, especially when it came to matters concerning music and art. There were also times when Kisielewski’s sharp tongue hurt his friend. In 1958 Mycielski was angered by a column by Kisielewski, who wrote to him, asking for forgiveness:

Dear Zygmunt, I hear from all sides that I have offended you. Is this really possible?! You know, don’t you, that I have this penchant for making silly jokes and, you’ve always been understanding about it – you only punched me in my kisser only once, but God punished you for it because you got robbed. (10 December 1958, Zygmunt Mycielski Archive, National Library)

With time there were fewer and fewer misunderstandings and what remained was their friendship. After Mycielski’s death Kisielewski bid farewell to him in the Paris Kultura with the following words:

He was a unique man and unique was his role in Polish culture. There will certainly be time for detailed analyses; these few words are a sketch, an outline, a contour as seen by a man who has lost something very close to him, who has lost a part of his own life, a part of himself ("Kultura" 1987 no. 10).