Henze, Hans Werner, << HEHN tsuh, hahns VEHR nuhr >> (1926-2012), was a German composer. His works incorporate modern atonality with more traditional musical forms. Often dissonant and angular, Henze’s music is also considered highly expressive and colorful. Henze’s radical political views, as well as his bold musical ideas, made him controversial. His most famous works are operas. They include Boulevard Solitude (1952), Elegy for Young Lovers (1961), and Der Junge Lord (The Young Lord, 1965). Henze also became known for his music for ballets. In addition, he composed piano concertos, symphonies, choral works, chamber music, and theater pieces with revolutionary political themes. The latter include El Cimarron (1970) and La Cubana (1973). Henze’s essays were collected in Music and Politics (1982).
Henze was born on July 1, 1926, in Gutersloh. His early works show the influence of the composers Arnold Schoenberg and Igor Stravinsky. Henze died on Oct. 27, 2012.
