Bohemian fifths

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Hans Werner Henze, a leading composer, offers a frank and impassioned autobiography filled with vivid imagery and compelling characters. His unhappy childhood during the rise of Fascism found solace in music, which became central to his life despite the disruptions of war. Initially a ballet conductor, Henze's creativity evolved in the early 1950s as he moved away from the rigid rules of serialism, embracing his unique vision of beauty. As an outsider in both political and sexual realms, his utopian aspirations for a humane communism often clashed with reality. Yet, in the postwar musical landscape, he emerged as a highly influential figure, surrounded by luminaries such as Igor Stravinsky, W. H. Auden, and Benjamin Britten. His autobiography is rich with personal anecdotes and insights into these notable relationships. A true cosmopolitan, Henze found his happiest moments in Italy, where his lyrical style flourished. He also reflects on the concept of "bohemian fifths," intervals once deemed unacceptable by Baroque and Classical standards, using this metaphor to critique the constraints on freedom in both music and life.