Hans Werner Henze (born July 1 1926 in Gütersloh, Westphalia, Germany) is a composer.

He is well known for his sometimes controversial political beliefs. The librettist of his oratorio/requiem for Che Guevara Das Floss der Medusa (The Raft of Medusa) was arrested at its 1968 Hamburg premier, and Henze spent a year teaching in Cuba though he later became disillusioned with Castro.

His music has incorporated neo-classicism, jazz, the twelve tone technique, serialism, and some rock or popular music.

External links

• Schott: Hans Werner Henze
• Schirmer: Hans Werner Henze
• Chester-Novello: Hans Werner Henze
• Sequenza21: Hans Werner Henze