Hans Werner Henze
Hans Werner Henze (born July 1, 1926, Gütersloh, Germany) is a German composer well known for his left-wing political convictions. He left Germany for Italy in 1953 because of a perceived intolerance towards his politics and homosexuality. He continues to live in the village of Marino in the Lazio region of Italy. An avowed Marxist and member of the Italian Communist Party, Henze has produced compositions honoring Ho Chi Minh and Che Guevara. The librettist of his requiem for Che Guevara, titled Das Floß der Medusa (The Raft of Medusa), was among several people arrested at the 1968 Hamburg premiere for placing a red flag on the stage. Henze spent a year teaching in Cuba, though he later became disillusioned with Castro. His music is extremely varied in style, having been influenced at various times by atonality, Stravinsky, Italian music, and jazz.
Hans Werner Henze (born July 1, 1926, Gütersloh, Germany) is a German composer well known for his left-wing political convictions. He left Germany for Italy in 1953 because of a perceived intolerance towards his politics and homosexuality. He continues to live in the village of Marino in the Lazio region of Italy. An avowed Marxist and member of the Italian Communist Party, Henze has produced compositions honoring Ho Chi Minh and Che Guevara. The librettist of his requiem for Che Guevara, titled Das Floß der Medusa (The Raft of Medusa), was among several people arrested at the 1968 Hamburg premiere for placing a red flag on the stage. Henze spent a year teaching in Cuba, though he later became disillusioned with Castro. His music is extremely varied in style, having been influenced at various times by atonality, Stravinsky, Italian music, and jazz.
Grimethorpe Special (LP)
Four avant-garde works for brass band composed in the 1970's and performed by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band conducted by Elgar Howarth, released on Decca's "Headline" contemporary music series in 1977. With insert.
Der Langwierige Weg In Die Wohnung Der Natascha Ungeheuer (LP)
Great 1971 avant-garde/jazz/electronic extravaganza featuring Gunter Hampel, Stomu Yamash'ta, Willem Breuker and others, released on DGG in 1972. With insert.
Fragments From A Show (LP)
Contemporary brass music by five composers performed by The Brass Ring, released by Crystal Records in 1986.
Zeitgenössische Musik In Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 4 (1950-1960) (3LP box)
Fourth volume of the massive and exhaustive 3LP box series of "Contemporary Music from West Germany" released in the early 80's by Deutscher Musikrat, presenting pieces composed between 1950 and 1960 by Hans Werner Henze, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Hans …
Zeitgenössische Musik In Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 8 (1970-1980) (3LP box)
Eigth volume of the massive and exhaustive 3LP box series of "Contemporary Music from West Germany" released in the early 80's by Deutscher Musikrat, presenting pieces composed between 1970 and 1980 by Hans Werner Henze, Wolfgang Rihm, Hans-Joachim H…
Works For Double Bass
*2022 stock* 'Hans Werner Henze was, during his lifetime, probably the most-performed composer of western modern music, and his advanced yet sensuously traditional music remains an important presence on stages around the world today. Henze was deeply…
Heliogabalus Imperator / Works For Orchestra
*2022 stock* The relationship between Hans Werner Henze and Oliver Knussen was one of great mutual respect. The German composer admired the British conductor and composer for electrifying performances of Henze’s own and other composers’ works. Knusse…
Piano Works
Jan Philip Schulze has been playing Henze’s piano works “in his sleep,” as he says. Indeed he has worked with the composer intensively on every piece, yet during the recording sessions he was noticeably surprised, while listening back to recordings, …
Musica Da Camera: Ensemble Dissonanzen
The selections of chamber music on this CD by Hans Werner Henze (b.1926) tend toward his lyrical side, and with an emphasis on compositions derived from his theater pieces. The CD's repertoire especially suits the Naples-based Ensemble Dissonanzen, f…
Guitar music Vol.1
Often described as one of Europe's foremost living composers, Hans Werner Henze could perhaps more accurately be described as Europe's greatest living composer. Born in 1926, Henze's career spans sixty years, his style encompasses everything from neo…