Carl Orff encountered the 'Carmina Burana' poems in the 1930s and was immediately struck by their musical and theatrical potential.
Carl Orff Photo: CC SA 4.0
The poems Carl Orff uses are part of a collection, discovered in 1803 in the abbey of Benediktbeuren in the Bavarian Alps. They were mostly likely written by wandering monks and scholars in the 13th century and give a vivid, earthy portrait of Medieval life.
Many of the poems attack the defects of the Church, satirise manners and morals, or praise the sensual joys of food, drink and physical love.
Orff uses concise, popular tunes and vigorous rhythms to express the bold and colourful poetry. The poems evoke primeval forces, such as the ever-turning wheel of fortune, the reviving power of spring, the intoxicating power of love and other earthly pleasures.
Brent Stewart Photo: Aliah Jan
This arrangement is by Wilhelm Killmayer.
Recorded 7 September 2019, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert
Producer/sound engineer: Darryl Stack
