Henze-Digital, Briefedition
author: Henze, Hans Werner
language: en
availability: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Mit freundlicher Genehmigung der Hans Werner Henze-Stiftung (Dr. Michael Kerstan). (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Jan. 16, 1985[^1]
Dear Miguel,

[^1: The reference to Barnet’s letter dated 15 December, as well as further references in the text such as the anomalous snowfall of 1985 and the mentioning of Barnet's La vida real , suggests that Henze got the year of the letter wrong and wrote 1984 instead of 1985, as sometimes happens at the beginning of a new year when one still has to get used to it.]

I received your letter of Dec. 15 only yesterday, probably the snow catastrophe that hit Italy at the beginning of the year has something to do with it. [In central and northern Italy, an exceptionally heavy snowfall occurred between 13 and 16 January 1985.] But it is a pity that in our age the mail service is so slow. I was wondering why you didn't ring me on the phone, we might have been able to arrange something. It is up to you: you are the one who travels around like mad, I am quite stationary and will be so more and more. [See Barnet's previous letter, in which he wrote that he was back in Europe.] I have a new secretary who will always be able to help make the arrangements: Nikolaus Westphal, D - 7 Stuttgart , Sonnenbergstrasse 107 Tel. (711) 243434. He always knows where I am. But the way things have been going between you and me are that I have serious doubts whether I will ever see you: You always get in touch when you are just returning to your home country: I have even been thinking it is intentional. Please forgive me, but this is an impression I have had. [See Barnet's reply in the undated postcard.] If people really want to get together, they find the way. But don't worry, try again, I'm here, I can 2 be found, I can be visited, I can be written called and telexed to, and telephoned. Perhaps you lost my number? It is Rome 9388328.

I'm glad La vida real is finished, and is a success. Can't wait to read it. Wishing you much luck with it. [See Barnet's previous letter in which he wrote to Henze about his new book.]

My work is going very well, and my international success is increasing, and that is nice to see and to watch. I'm proud that it all happens on my own, I don't belong to a group. I'm single, and the only support I have is the quality of my craft. My whole international career was made while I was living for 30 years in the southern Italian countryside. [The words country and side are linked with a line.] [Indeed 30 years earlier, in the autumn of 1955, Henze had first moved to southern Italy.] Where I'm planning to spend more and more time, giving up directing, teaching and conducting, and only read, study, live, compose to my own leisure and pleasure. I'm determined to start this in '87 (85 and 86 still being rather busy) [The fact that the year 1984 is not mentioned confirms that this letter was indeed written in 1985, and not in 1984.] – of course, with such a life style, sensitiveness increases, and negligence and/or indifference on the side of my friends hurt more than it would normally. But that is my problem.

Wish you all the best – with love, as always,
hans

Regards from Fausto (Yoichi is visiting his home country!)