Ballet show with audio tape

Scenic cantata based on a series of manuscripts from the XIth – XIIIth Century

The German composer, conductor, musician, and pedagogue Carl Orff, was born in München, on the 10th of July 1895. He studied at the Music Academy, followed by his individual studies next to  composer Heinrich Kaminski, in München, the city where he has also begun his conducting activity. He was one of the founders of the Günther School, where he taught music according to the principles of Jaques-Dalcroze – his academic activity having an important influence upon his creative concepts. His work accentuated the rhythmic element, as his rhythms are completely uncomplicated, his musical language is characterised by the simplicity of themes which generally have a pronounced folk savour. All of these artistic features are very much present in the scenic cantata  Carmina Burana.

This celebrated piece – translated as Burane Songs – as Burane is the ancient name of Bavaria, Germany -, which has granted Orff an absolute celebrity, is a unique profane scenic cantata. Its inspirational source are ancient Latin, German and French songs and poems written in the Middle Ages, and found in Benedictine monasteries and edited by J. A. Schmeller.

Once the sonority, melodic line and rhythm are found, they are repeated in their initial format throughout the entire piece. The effect is indeed strange, unexpected, yet spectacular. The composer is said to have affirmed, after reading the texts, and regarding the music he had created: ”I have written the music very fast (…). Within a few weeks the work has already been conceived (…). the music was so familiar for me, it was pulsing within me so lively, that I needed no notes to sing it. When I was asked for the score, I had to recognise the reality – that it was only partially sketched on paper”.

Recommended age limit:  7+

The performance has one break and ends around 8 p.m.