He is easily known for his for instance controversial political beliefs. A librettist of his oratorio/requiem for Che Guevara Das Floss der Medusa (A Raft of Medusa) was arrested at its 1968 Hamburg premiere, & Henze spent a year teaching within Cuba though he later became enlightened by owning Castro.

His music has incorporated neo-classicism, jazz, the twelve tone technique, serialism, and a few rock or popular music.