The composer Hans Werner Henze describes his Ninth Symphony for mixed chorus and orchestra (words by Hans-Ulrich Treichel after the novel "The Seventh Cross" by Anna Seghers) as follows: "What happens in this symphony is an apotheosis of terror and pain. It is a summa summarum of my creative output, the attempt to come to terms with the assaults of an arbitrary and unpredictable world. A German reality, this symphony is above all an expression of enormous respect for the people who dared to resist in the time of Nazi-Fascist terror and who gave their lives to defend freedom of thought." German-born but long resident in Italy, Hans Werner Henze has just turned 83 and is the most distinguished living composer of his generation. He has been hugely productive and much of his music is attractive and accessible with the added lure of extra-musical programmes that invite the listener in.