Letter from H. W. Henze to M. Barnet, April 17, 1972

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[Manuscript]

Londres, 17 [de] Abril 1972 Querido Miguel,

rapidamente una pequeña carta. Estoy en Londres para gradar
mi sexta sinfonia (con la London Symphony, una orquesta formidable)* – por mucho
tiempo non he oido nada de ti. Espero que estas bien, que trabajes bien. De
mi no hai mucho de nuevo. Trabajé (una musica orquestal para el
director Solti que est muy grande)* y estoy escribiendo las canciones para Rachel *.

Todavía no se sabe con precisión cuando se estrena, y donde. Pienso en el
final del año.* Parece que sirve un teatro con musicas buenas, mejores que
normalmente s’ encuentra. – A casa todo bien, Fausto con sus pajaros, yo con mi
neurosis. Me siento lejo de todo, desde [hace] en año...* es muy triste, tengo momentos
horibles. Todavía no se donde ir, pero pienso que tiene que ser la calle
del artista todo solo que dusca a[sic]hacer sus “chef d’œuvres”, por falta de alternativa.

¿Cuando te veo?* Te crees que pienso cada día en ti como un hermano.
Y sueño cada noche de Cuba, siempre lo mismo sueño: el regrezo feliz.
Por favor que me contestas.

Abrazos y muchos cariños para todos (que[sic]
no te olvidas [de] nadie)
hans

[Manuscript]

London, 17 April 1972 Dear Miguel,

Just a quick letter. I am in London to record my sixth symphony (with the London Symphony, a formidable orchestra) - I have not heard from you for a long time. I hope you are well, that you are working well. There’s not much new from me. I worked on (orchestral music for the conductor Solti, who is great) and I am composing the songs for Rachel.

It is still not known precisely when or where it will be premiered. I think at the end of the year. A theatre with good music would seem to serve, better than what is normally encountered. – At home everything is fine, Fausto with his birds, me with my neurosis. I have felt far away from everything, for a year now... it’s very sad, I have horrible moments. I still don’t know where to go, but I think it has to be the path of the artist all alone who searches to create his “chef d’œuvres” (masterpiece), for want of an alternative.

When will I see you? Believe me, I think of you every day as a brother. And I dream of Cuba every night, always the same dream: the happy return. Please answer me.

Hugs and much love to all (don’t forget anyone). hans

Translation by Yolanda Acker

Editorial

General Remark

The description of the sources was made according to the provided digital copies.

Responsibilities

Editor(s)
Elena Minetti
Transcription
Elena Minetti
Translation  
Yolanda Acker

Tradition

  • Text Source: Miguel Barnet, Private Collection

    Physical Description

    • Document type: Letter
    • Material

    • Weißes Papier
    • Extent

    • 1 folio
    • 1 written page
    • Layout

    • Der Brief wird in Querrichtung geschrieben.

Writing styles

  • 1.
    Handwriting.

Text Constitution

  • "… rapidamente"Like other letters Henze wrote in Spanish, this one also frequently contains many linguistic errors and Italianisms.
  • " ahacer"added above
  • "a"sic
  • "que"sic

Commentary

  • "rapidamente"recte "rápidamente".
  • "sinfonia"recte "sinfonía".
  • "… Symphony , una orquesta formidable)"Henze recorded his Sixth Symphony in London on 20 and 21 April 1972 with the London Symphony Orchestra.
  • "non"recte "no".
  • "oido"recte "oído".
  • "estas"recte "estés".
  • "mi"recte "".
  • "hai"recte "hay".
  • "musica"recte "música".
  • "est"recte "es".
  • "… Solti que est muy grande)" Heliogabalus Imperator had its premiere in Chicago on 16 November 1972 under the baton of Georg Solti.
  • "… escribiendo las canciones para Rachel"The final titles of the work would be La Cubana, which Henze finished composing in September 1972. In regard to its genesis, see the correspondence between Henze and Hans Magnus Enzensberger.
  • "cuando"recte "cuándo".
  • "y"recte "ni".
  • "donde"recte "dónde".
  • "Pienso en el"recte "creo que a".
  • "del"recte "de".
  • "… el final del año ."The world premiere of La Cubana was broadcast on Channel 13 (New York, WNET Opera Theatre) on 4 March 1974. The premiere of the stage version took place on 28 May 1975 at the Gärtnerplatztheater in Munich.
  • "musicas"recte "música".
  • "s’"recte "se".
  • "A"recte "En".
  • "pajaros"recte "pájaros".
  • "lejo"recte "lejos".
  • "… todo, desde hace en año..."Henze’s sense of distance from everything could also be related to his physical absence from Cuba, since January 1970.
  • "horibles"recte "horribles".
  • "donde"recte "dónde".
  • chef d'œuvres
    • obras maestras
  • "Cuando"recte "Cuándo".
  • "… ¿ Cuando te veo?"Henze was only able to see Barnet again in May 1982 in Europe.
  • "crees"recte "créeme".
  • "de"recte "con".
  • "lo"recte "el".
  • "regrezo"recte "regreso".
  • "que me contestas"recte "contéstame".
  • "muchos cariños"recte "mucho cariño".
  • "olvidas"recte "olvides".

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        Credits

        Mit freundlicher Genehmigung der Hans Werner Henze-Stiftung (Dr. Michael Kerstan).

        If you've spotted some error or inaccuracy please do not hesitate to inform us via henze-digital [@] zenmem.de.