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CARMINA BURANA
(Cantiones profanae)
by
Carl Orff (1895-1982)
Guest Vocalists:
Jessica Beebe, Soprano • Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
Stephen Ng, Tenor • West Chester University, West Chester, PA
Joseph Wiggett, Baritone • California State University Stanislaus, Turlock, CA
German composer Carl Orff has been justly lauded for developing an approach to music education called Orff Schulwerk,
but he may be best known for his 1936 composition, Carmina Burana. Called a “scenic cantata,” it is the first part of a
trilogy called Trionfi (“Triumphs”) that also includes Catulli Carmina and Trionfo di Afrodite. Carmina Burana reflects
Orff’s interest in medieval German poetry. The composer described it as the celebration of the triumph of the human spirit
through sexual and holistic balance.
The work is based on thirteenth-century poetry found in a manuscript dubbed the Codex latinus monacensis found in the
Benedictine monastery of Benediktbeuern, in Bavaria, in 1803. Carmina Burana (Latin for “Songs from Beuern”) is the
name given to the manuscript of 254 poems and dramatic texts, mostly from the eleventh or twelfth century, although
some are from the thirteenth century. The pieces are mostly bawdy, irreverent, and satirical. They were written principally
in Medieval Latin, with a few in Middle High German, at a time when Latin was the lingua franca across Italy and
western Europe for theologians, traveling scholars, and universities. Most of the poems and songs appear to be the work
of Goliards, clergy (mostly students) who set up and satirized the Catholic Church. The manuscripts reflect an
international European movement, with songs originating from Occitania, France, England, Scotland, Aragon, Castile,
and the Holy Roman Empire.
Orff set 24 of these poems, divided into four large sections. After two movements of introduction, Primo vere discusses
the joys of Spring. Then the men, led by a rowdy baritone soloist, sing drinking songs In Taberna. Finally, a children’s
choir and soprano soloist are added to extol the joys of love with Cour d’amours.
Carmina Burana was hugely popular in Germany after its premiere in Frankfurt in 1937. Given Orff’s previous lack of
commercial success, the monetary factor of Carmina Burana’s acclaim was significant to him. The composition quickly
gained popularity internationally and became a staple of the choral-orchestral repertoire. The opening and closing
movement, “O Fortuna,” has often been used in films and television commercials.
Notes by Sanford Dole
1. Choral Union:
O Fortuna (O Fortune)
O Fortune, like the moon, you are changeable, ever waxing and waning. Hateful life, first oppresses, and then soothes as fancy takes
it; poverty, and power it melts them like ice. Fate – monstrous and empty, your whirling wheel, you are malevolent, well-being is in
vain and always fades to nothing, shadowed and veiled you plague me too; now through the game I bring my bare back to your
villainy. Fate is against me in health and virtue, driven on and weighted down, always enslaved. So at this hour without delay pluck
the vibrating strings; since Fate strikes down the strong man, everyone weep with me!
2. Choral Union:
Fortune plango vulnera (I bemoan the wounds of Fortune)
I bemoan the wounds of Fortune with weeping eyes, for the gifts she made me she perversely takes away. It is written in truth, that she
has a fine head of hair, but, when it comes to seizing an opportunity, she is bald. On Fortune’s throne I used to sit raised up, crowned
with the many-colored flowers of prosperity; though I may have flourished happy and blessed, now I fall from the peak deprived of
glory. The wheel of Fortune turns: I go down, demeaned; another is raised up; far too high up sits the king at the summit – let him fear
ruin! – for under the axis is written Queen Hecuba.
4. Baritone Solo:
Omnia Sol temperat (The Sun warms everything)
The sun warms everything, pure and gentle, once again it reveals to the world April’s face, the soul of man is urged towards love and
joys are governed by the boy-god. All this rebirth in spring’s festivity and spring’s power bids us to rejoice; it shows us paths we
know well, and in your springtime it is true and right to keep what is yours. Love me faithfully! See how I am faithful: with all my
heart and with all my soul, I am with you even when I am far away. Whoever loves this much turns on the wheel.
5. Choral Union:
Ecce gratum (Behold, the pleasant spring)
Behold the pleasant and longed-for spring brings back joyfulness, violet flowers fill the meadows, the sun brightens everything,
sadness is now at an end! Summer returns, now withdraw the rigors of winter. Ah! Now melts and disappears ice, snow, and the rest,
winter flees, and now spring sucks at summer’s breast: a wretched soul is he who does not live or lust under summer’s rule. Ah! They
glory and rejoice in honeyed sweetness who strive to make use of Cupid’s prize; at Venus’ command let us glory and rejoice in being
Paris’ equals. Ah!
UF DEM ANGER (ON THE GREEN)
PERFORMING PERSONNEL
CANTILENA WOMEN’S CHOIR Dr. Jeffrey S. Gemmell, conductor
Lauren Bauer Jordyn Hamman Qingxi Ni Emily Seiler
Myah Brown Amanda Hoch Carlee Nilphai Cara Shacter
Anyi Cai Tiana Illiano Mary Papeika Katie Sweeney
Katelyn Dinsmore Noelle Leberte Jordan Peer Morgan Taylor
Laila El-Zayatie Debra McLain Katherine Pheysey Sarah Troutman
Kim Habecker Megan Murphy Allie Remis Wanli Wang