Since the family's economic situation prevented him from studying music, Werzlau began as an apprentice piano maker at the Blüthner company in his home town.
[2] After the end of the Nazi regime in Germany, Werzlau was active in the Antifa-Block and became a member of the Cultural Association of the GDR.
In addition, Werzlau was répétiteur for the Mary Wigman School, and became director of the musical-literary kabarett Die Rampe in Leipzig.
[2][4] Werzlau wrote his probably most popular song, Weil wir jung sind, ist die Welt so schön (Because we are young, the world is so beautiful) to lyrics by Gerhard Wolfram.
[2] During this time he also began composing songs for children, pioneers, youth and other mass groups, suitable to socialist holidays.
[2] Werzlau wrote his first opera Regine in 1963, which was premiered at the Hans Otto Theater in Potsdam with moderate success.
In 1976, his second opera was premiered at the Berlin Staatsoper Unter den Linden with great success:[5] Meister Röckle, to a libretto by Günther Deicke.