Pity poor Carl Orff who is one of those composers almost relegated to being a one-hit wonder. He was a German composer, but perhaps more important and influential was his work as a music educator – his ‘Schulwerk’ is now a worldwide teaching approach in music (similar to the Dalcroze, Suzuki, and Kodály methods) through improvisation, and group music making.
Today’s choice – Carmina Burana – is a secular cantata from 1936 based on medieval poems. It would seem everyone knows the opening (although perhaps not knowing the words…), and the work is split into sections based on a the turning of the Wheel of Fortune (depicted on the original medieval manuscript):
Fortune, Empress of the World
In Spring
In the meadow
In the Tavern
The Court of Love
Blancheflour and Helen
Fortune, Empress of the World
The orchestration is considerable with triple woodwind, large brass section, a colossal amount of percussion including 5 timpani, ratchet, sleighbells, and 3 bells, two pianos, a celesta, strings, two choirs, a boys’ choir, and three soloists.
The music is influenced by the works of Byrd and Monteverdi, and Stravinsky in use of rhythm and orchestration, as well as combining an interest and influence in early music.
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