Der neue, wilde Wohlklang

Language German
ISBN 978-3-95593-610-5

To mark the 100th anniversary of Hans Werner Henze’s birth, this volume is dedicated to a composer who, like few others, shaped the musical landscape of the 20th century whilst simultaneously challenging its boundaries. Through a blend of political engagement, aesthetic diversity and a deeply personal musical language, Henze has created a body of work that encompasses opera, symphonic music and chamber music, as well as interdisciplinary and socially motivated projects.

The essays in this volume approach Henze from various perspectives: analytical, historical and essayistic. They shed light on key works as well as lesser-known compositions, exploring Henze’s relationship to the avant-garde, to tradition and to utopia – and the relevance of his thinking today. The result is not a unified picture, but a polyphonic space that brings the composer’s contradictions and tensions to life.