Classical Works: Carmina Burana, scenic cantata for soloists, choruses & orchestra
Date: 1935 -1936
Main Performer: Carl Orff
Genre: Choral
Period: Modern (1870-)
Review
Already 38 when he began composing Carmina Burana -- Songs from Benediktbeuern --
Orff was nearly 42 when it finally was produced. Despite the co-title "Secular Songs," he designed the work as a theater piece, a "scenic cantata" to be danced as well as sung and played. In addition to soprano, tenor, and baritone soloists, large, small, and boys' choruses, Carmina Burana is scored for triple winds and brass, five timpani, percussion for six players, celesta, two pianos, and strings. Bertil Wetzelsberger conducted the premiere on June 8, 1937, at Frankfurt am Main.
The texts were written mostly by goliards, itinerant scholars, and lapsed clerics during the Middle Ages -- medieval hippies, as it were, with skinheads mixed in. Preserved in a thirteenth century manuscript, these were discovered at a Bavarian monastery near the Passion Play town of Oberammergau in 1803 (Burana is a Latin neologism for Beuern, later Bayern: Bavaria in English). Written in low Latin, old German, and medieval French, most of the texts -- variously bawdy, sensuous, comic, mock-tragic, but usually erotic -- mock government and the church.
Carmina Burana is comprised of 26 sections in mostly major keys. A two-song choral Prolog, "Fortuna imperatrix mundi" (Fortune, Empress of the World), is about the ever-turning Wheel of Fortune that lifts man up only to cast him down. The next 22 sections are divided into three unequal parts.
First comes "Primo vere" (In springtime), nine frolicsome numbers that begin with small choir, then baritone solo, then full chorus. The concluding six are subtitled "Uf dem Anger" (On the lawn), commencing with a dance for orchestra; then a languorous waltz in for large and small choruses; another amatory adventure for both choruses to the accompaniment of sleigh bells and plucked violas; an ABA round dance that becomes Allegro molto midway, and finally a brief Allegro introduced by brass fanfares.
Next the music moves indoors -- "In taberna" (In the tavern) -- for a quartet of secular songs in praise of gluttony and drunkenness. A besotted goliard enumerates his amatory history, followed by a swan bewailing its mortality (in the person of a high tenor) while roasting on a spit. A tipsy abbot comes forward next, leading to a seditious melee for tipsy male choristers.
The concluding third is "Cour d'amours" (The court of love), whose ten parts tend to brevity; yet even when the music seems chaste, texts or subtexts are sexual, beginning with boys' chorus and a lovelorn soprano. After them, the solo baritone voices a courtier's despair. The soprano follows with "Stetit puella," about a pretty girl in a red tunic. The baritone sings a tale of planned seduction with choral punctuation, setting up the comedic encounter of male choristers and a maiden, a cappella. A lovestruck double chorus follows with piano/percussion accompaniment. The soprano's "In trutina" is torn between love and modesty, only to be overwhelmed by an erotic concatenation of everyone (excepting roasted solo tenor), pierced by the soprano's stratospheric "Dulcissime" (most sweet one, I give my all to you). The culmination of "Cour d'amours" is "Banziflor et Helena," another paean to Venus triumphant over virtue. Finally there's the repetition of "Fortuna, imperatrix mundi." ~ All Music Guide
Albums with Complete Performances of the Work
Orff: Trionfi 2002 Orff: Carmina Burana 2002 Orff: Carmina Burana Orff: Carmina Burana Carl Orff: Carmina Burana [Hybrid SACD] 2000 In Concert with the University of Illinois Symphonic Band: The Begian Years, Vol. 9 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana [SACD] 2000 Classics for the Occasion, Set #3 1997 Orff: Carmina Burana 1997 Orff: Carmina Burana 1998 Orff: Carmina Burana 1998 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 2005 Orff: Carmina Burana 1992 Stokowski Conducts Orff and Loeffler 2001 Orff: Carmina Burana Orff: Carmina Burana 1995 Orff: Carmina Burana 1995 Orff: Carmina Burana 1996 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 1995 Orff: Carmina Burana 2000 Tchaikovsky & Orff 1996 Orff: Carmina Burana 1997 Orff: Carmina Burana, scenic cantata 1998 Orff: Carmina Burana Orff: Carmina Burana 1998 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 1981 Orff: CARMINA BURANA 1999 Orff: Carmina Burana 1987 Orff: Carmina Burana 1996 Orff: Carmina Burana 1999 Classical Evolution: Orff: Carmina Burana 2002 Best by Farr Orff: Carmina Burana Orff: Carmina Burana Orff: Carmina Burana 1996 Orff: Carmina Burana 1993 Carl Orff: The Ultimate Collection [Box Set] 2005 Carmina Burana & Great Classical Marches (Box Set) 1998 Orff: Carmina Burana 2002 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 2004 Orff: Carmina Burana 2001 Orff: Carmina Burana, scenic cantata Orff: Carmina Burana 2004 Orff: Carmina Burana 1991 Passion (Box Set) 2003 Orff: Carmina Burana (Cantiones Profanes) Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 1997 Orff: Carmina Burana Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 1997 Stockholm Philharmonic 75th Anniversary 1988 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 1992 Orff:Carmina Burana/Catulli Carmina/Trionfo Di Afrodite Orff: Carmina Burana 1996 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 1995 Orff: Carmina Burana, scenic cantata Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 2003 Orff: Carmina Burana Orff: Carmina Burana 1992 Orff: Carmina Burana 1994 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 1996 Orff: Carmina Burana 1974 The Arte Collector: Classical Favorites [Box Set] 1997 Orff: Carmina Burana 2003 Orff:Carmina Burana 1996 Orff: Carmina Burana Orff: Carmina Burana 1991 Passion, Vol. 20: Orff - Carmina Burana 2003 Orff: Carmina Burana 1997 Orff: Carmina Burana 1995 Orff: Carmina Burana Orff: Carmina Burana [Hybrid SACD] 2001 Orff: Carmina Burana; Fauré: Pavane; Franck: Panis angelicus 2002 Sultry Classics Carl Orff: Carmina Burana Carl Orff: Carmina Burana Orff: Carmina Burana 2001 Orff: Carmina Burana, scenic cantata Orff: Carmina Burana 1997 Orff: Carmina Burana; Stravinsky: Fireworks; Circus Polka 2001 Orff: Carmina Burana Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 2003 Carl Orff: Trionfi 1995 Orff: Carmina Burana (Chamber Version) Orff: Carmina Burana 1991 The Best Of Richard Hickox Orff: Carmina Burana 2007 Orff: Carmina Burana 2004 Orff: Carmina Burana 1996 Orff: Carmina Burana 1995 Orff: Carmina Burana 1993 The Greatest Classical Collection, Vol.2 Carl Orff: Trionfi 1992 Orff: Carmina Burana 2000 Carmina Burana: The Singers' Edition 2000 Orff: Carmina Burana, scenic cantata Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 2004 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 1992 Orff: Carmina Burana Carl Orff: Carmina Burana/Igor Stravinsky:The Firebird Suite 1994 Orff: Carmina Burana, scenic cantata 1993 The Greatest Classical Collection, Vol.2 Orff: Carmina Burana 2004 Orff: Carmina Burana Orff: Carmina Burana, scenic cantata World's Greatest Classics (Box Set) 1997 Top 20th Century Classics 1999 Orff: Carmina Burana 2005 Orff: Carmina Burana, scenic cantata; Catulli Carmina, scenic cantata Orff: Carmina Burana 1995 Orff: Carmina Burana, scenic cantata; Trionfo di Afrodite Orff: Carmina Burana 1992 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana Carl Orff: Carmina Burana 2005 Orff: Carmina Burana, scenic cantata; Ravel: Boléro 1992 Orff: Carmina Burana; Catulli Carmina; Dithyrambi 1994
Albums with Excerpt Performances of the Work
The Classical Greats 2000 The HMV Classics Collection: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter 1994 Ultimate Driving Collection: Classical Gas 1993 Simply the Best Classical Anthems One Hit Wonders 2003 Voice of the Violin 2006 The Best Choral Album in the World...Ever! 1999 The Classics at the Movies: Epics 2000 The Only Classical Album You Will Ever Need 2007 Classics for All Seasons (Box Set) Classical Tranquility 1998 Nocturne Voices 2003 Mad about The Classics 1993 Beyond Imagination 2002 Movie Classics, Music From Famous Films Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music 1995 The Absolute Sound: SACD Sampler [Hybrid SACD] 2006 Time Life Presents: Classical Thunder 2005 Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music 2005 The Sampler, Vol. 2 1993 The Greatest Classical Show On Earth 1998 Classical Gas: Ultimate Driving Collection 1998 Tribute to Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt (1900-1973) 2000 Voice of the Violin [B&N Exclusive] 2006 A to Z of Classical Music 2000 Beyond Imagination 2002 Sounds of Excellence: 200 Greatest Classics, Vol. 11 2000 Cinema Choral Classics 1997 Enchantment: 40 Peaceful Classics 2002 Favorite Choral Arcobaleno / Masters of Art Sampler 1999 Opera's Greatest Songs 1995 The Fantasy Album 2002 The Best Choral Album in the World...Ever! 1999 Unforgettable Classics: Choral 1995 PriMa Donna 1993 Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits 1999 Best Classical Album of the Millennium 1999 The Flying Dutchman 2005 Orchestral Fireworks Lease Breakers 1996 The #1 Soprano Album 2002 Centenary Edition: 100 Years of Great Music (Box Set) 1997 Encore - The Greatest Hits 1996 Telarc Collection, Volume 7: 16 Selections From The World's Finest Sounding Recordings 1993 A Classical Weekend Classical Melodies 2003 The Flying Dutchman [CD+DVD] 2005 Extreme Classics 1995 The Instruments Of The Orchestra-Percussion Classics for Lovers 2003 The Best Classical Album in the World... Ever! 1995 Wedding Classics: The Ideal Soundtrack for a Great Wedding Celebration 2001 Famous Classical Themes from the Movies 1997 Great Melodies of the Classics 1997 Divine Sopranos 1994 Classical Barbra 1990 Unforgettable Classics: Exciting Classics 1999 Lesley Garrett: The Gold Collection Classics for Enchanted Moments 2006 Best-Loved Classics 4 1997 The Beautiful Voice 1998 Movies: Greatest Hits 1994 Music of The Seasons 1997 Discover 20th Century Classical Music Fortissimo!: The World's Loudest Classical Music 1994 Complete Classical Collection (Box Set) 2004 100 Greatest Conductors of the Century World's Greatest Choruses 1992 Gramophone Editor's Choice, August 1999 1999 Classic Supersonic 1993 Voice of the Violin [Borders Exclusive] Epics: The History of the World According to Hollywood 2005 Gurkha Parade 1998 Orchestral Excerpts for Bassoon, Vol. 2 1998 Music to Die For 2003 Adrian Symphony Orchestra 1998 Classic CD No. 56 Orff: Carmina Burana 1992 Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music, Vol. 1 2000 Remasterpiece 2004 The Most Famous Movie Classics 1994 The Very Best of Classical Music for Your Life (Box Set) 2004 Lake Highlands in the Meyerson, 1997-1998 The Elkins High School Bands 2002-2003 Highlights Summon the Heroes 1996 Opera At The Movies 1991 EMI Centenary Edition, Vol. 10 Classical Barbra 1976 The Divine Feminine 2006 Classics in Steel 1999 Classics at the Movies 1991 Dinner Classics 1995 In Classical Mood: Choral Harmony 1998 Musique Classique du Cinéma 2003 10th Anniversary in Song Greatest Hits: The Chorus 1996 Pure (includes Bonus Track) In Classical Mood: Passion 1998 Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music Favourite Collection 2 1995 Les Choeurs des Cathédrales 1995 Classical: The Greatest Moments Ever 2006 Classic Explosion Favorite Choral Voice of an Angel 1998 Idiot's Guide to Classical Music 1995 Classical Music 101 2004 Orff: Carmina Burana 1991 The Very Best of Lucia Popp 2003 Sounds of Excellence: Top 20 Greatest Classics 2000 Classical Evolution: Sampler 2002 The Phase 4 Experience 1996 My Figure Skating Album 100 Best Classics, Vol. 2 2006 Classical Heat 2002 Orff: Carmina Burana 1991 Orff: Carmina Burana 1991 Classical Greatest Hits: The Inspriation behind the Pop Songs of Kylie Minogue, The Beatles, and Many More 2004 The #1 Classical Album 2002 Movie Classics 1997 In Paradisum Great Opera Divas: Lucia Popp 1998 The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics 1995 The Most Unforgettable Advertisements Ever 1995 Voices of Brass 2006 Orff: Carmina Burana [DVD Audio] 2003 Tunes for Workout 1996 The Greatest Choral Show on Earth 1999 Stockholm University Singers 1989 The Most Unforgettable German Classics Ever 2000 Sunday in the Park: Beautiful Classical Music 2000 The Essential Classics Collection 1997 Borodin, Orff, Mozart and others 1994 Music of the World: Germany The Radiant Voice of Barbara Bonney 2001 Classical Evergreens 1997 Mega Cinema 2000 Cinema Classics 1993 Classical Kaleidoscope 1997 Discover the Classics 1995 Tribute to USA 2002 The Best of the Royal Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestras [Box Set] 1998 Great Orchestral Dances (Box Set) An die Musik [2 CD & DVD Limited Edition] 2005 Classics at the Movies 1993 Grand Opera Choruses Classical Crescendo S úctou / A Vocal Tribute 2004 Dies Irae-The Essential Choral Collection 1997 Essential Choral Classics 2006 Beautiful Wedding Melodies Unforgettable Classics: Driving Classics 1998 Power-A Classical Music Collection Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church [with Bonus DVD] 2002 Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church 2002 Simply Soundtracks 2006 Early Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon Classical Hits: The Best Music from Today's Classical Superstars 2001 Choruses: The Greatest Hits 2002 Y2K: A Doomsday Collection for the Coming Crash 1999 Classical Music for Beginners The Ultimate Classics 2001 Schubert, Auber, Mendelssohn and others... 1997 Classics for Lovers 2004 Classic Passion - Music of Love and Fire 1997 Orff: Carmina Burana Suite; Bird: Serenade for Wind Instruments; Reed: La Fiesta Mexicana 2006 Carmina Burana Beyond Imagination 2002 Orff: Carmina Burana Panorama: Music from the Movies 2000 Great Choral Classics 1999 God Be in My Head: Sacred and Secular Treble Solos 2006 Discover the Classics: The Instruments of the Orchestra - Brass Blockbusters From The Movies 1995 Discover the Classics 2000 World of Lullabies 2005 Thunder Classics 1998 Telarc Classical: Celebrating 25 Years 2002 Film Classics 1997 Classics for All Seasons: Spring 1992 Pure 2003 Voices: A Compilation of the World's Greatest Choirs Telarc Sampler 2 1984 The Best of 25 Classical Favorites 2001 Centenary Edition 1988-1997, Vol. 10 1997 Unexpected Songs 2006 Discover Classical Music 1993 The Wonderful World of Classical Music (Box Set) John Williams: Summon the Heroes 2000 The #1 Choral Album 2002 Beyond Imagination 2002 Classic CD No. 109 (Extra CD) Peace: Pure Classical Calm 2005 Movie Classics 1996 The Greatest Cinema Choral Classics 2006 The Voice of the Chorus 2003 Massive Classics: Music You Can't Relax To 2003 Classical Greatest Hits 2003 Great Orchestral Dances, Vol. 3 1991 Great Choral Classics 2001 The Very Best of Classical: For Beginners 2002 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana Suite 1990 Best of Classics, 1994 1994 Relaxing With the Classics 1998 Heavy Classix, Vol. 2 1994 Euphoric Classics: A Classical High 2004 Symphony on the Green 1993 Cinema Classics 3 1998
