Voices (Henze)

Voices is a musical composition by the German composer Hans Werner Henze.

Written between January and June 1973, it is a collection of 22 independent songs which may be performed individually, with alterations to the instrumentation.

In its full version, it is written for mezzo-soprano, tenor, electronics and fifteen instrumentalists who are required to play about 70 different instruments from all over the world.

The songs set a diverse range of words, almost all of which are from the twentieth century, the linking theme being alienation and oppression.

Editor Peter Petersen, Hanns-Werner Heister and Hartmut Lück, Mainz, Schott 1996.