Modern composition

For over six decades, Hans Werner Henze has composed diverse pieces of music and startled plenty of audiences along the way. The musical avant garde viewed him with distrust because he did not follow the latest trends in composition. Theater-goers in the 1960s and 70s reacted with anger and shock at his socially critical works for the stage.

Nevertheless, Henze has long been counted among the most significant representatives of contemporary music since 1945 and has been called a "classic" of the avant garde.

A second celebration

Last year, the composer's work played a central role in the festivities in the Ruhr region as it celebrated its year as a European Capital of Culture. A high point was the premiere of the musical theater piece titled "Gisela!" by the composer, who hails from the region.

"I am excited and looking forward to the cooperation between all of the artists and artistic groups here, who are able to understand my work and to whom my music speaks," said a visibly moved Henze during the events in 2010. "I also appreciate those who think my music seems suitable for pedagogical or other purposes - for example, as entertainment."

Now the composer has another reason to celebrate: Münster is commemorating his 85th birthday with a two-week festival.

Behind the curtain

The rather quaint and idyllic city of Münster isn't exactly equated with cutting edge music. Rather, it makes a conservative impression with its historic city center, old churches and Baroque palace.

But Reinbert Ewers, one of the planners of the festival in Henze's honor, has been working to change that. The guitarist and teacher at a Münster conservatory has partnered with the Society for New Music to bring unusual, contemporary sounds to the city.

The city's General Music Director Fabrizio Ventura sees their work as a great development, and partnered with Ewers to coordinate the festival of Henze's work.

"It's actually always been my dream to put together an event that would really do justice to Henze's work," Ewers commented.

Wide-ranging program

The festival will run the musical gamut for two weeks, from chamber and symphonic music to opera and Henze's famous musical fairytale for children, "Pollicino." The celebration opened with his opera, "The English Cat," a bitter parable about the treachery and faults of bourgeois society.

The opera found great resonance with the audience in Münster, said Ewers, adding that he hopes for further success with the festival that runs through July 10, 2011.

"We're hoping that we can show people something exciting and generate interest," said the festival director. "Of course, we want to bring in as many listeners as possible to come see the programs, but it's also important to us to show what kind of composer Henze is."

Still contemporary

Hans Werner Henze was born on July 1, 1926 in Gütersloh in Westfalen. However, Reinbert Ewers doesn't think of him as a Westphalian composer, since Henze viewed himself as a musical cosmopolite.

Starting in the 1960s, he began consciously incorporating leftist political positions and socially criticism into his work - but that doesn't mean his music seems dated today.

"For example, if you have a listen to 'El Cimarron,' which he wrote at the end of the 60s, it contains an eminent political message. And you can see that his point remains," Ewers said. The composition recounts the true story of a Cuban slave who runs away.

"It doesn't matter that the work was set in Cuba, because the theme of people exploiting others is as relevant as ever. We can see that every day in the news. The idea remains current - and the music just as much so," he added.

Author: Klaus Gehrke / gsw
Editor: Kate Bowen