Famed German composer Hans Werner Henze has died at the age of 86.

The musician passed away on Saturday (27Oct12) in Dresden, Germany. No further details about his death were available as Wenn went to press.

A statement from music publishers Schott Music simply reads, "Hans Werner Henze, one of the most versatile and influential composers of our time has died."

Henze wrote 10 symphonies and composed music for many operas and ballets.

He was born in Germany in 1926 and started his career in music and theatre there before emigrating to Italy in the 1950s.

Henze's most famous works include opera Ein Landarzt and Sinfonia N. 9.