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