Carl Orff's work from 1935 and 1936, which the composer himself did not describe as an opera, oratorio or cantata, comprises 24 texts in Latin, Middle High German and Old French in the libretto. “Carmina Burana”, which premiered on June 8, 1937, at the Frankfurt Opera House, continues to enjoy great popularity. The setting of the work, which mainly covers secular themes such as happiness and prosperity, the transience of life and the dangers of pleasures such as drinking, gluttony, gambling and lust, is a completely new composition, driven by Orff's rhythmic vision.
Carmina Burana quickly became one of the most popular pieces of serious music and the most performed choral/orchestral work of the 20th century, with approximately 20 performances worldwide every month! In particular, the powerful choral setting of CB 17 (“O Fortuna”), with which the work begins, is so popular that it is often used in advertising or as film music – mostly in the recording by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Shaw. Although Orff only authorized the reduced version for soloists, large mixed choir, children's choir, two pianos, and percussion by his student Wilhelm Killmayer, the recording with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra under Václav Smetáček is considered particularly successful by connoisseurs: The Czech conductor, composer, and oboist succeeded in bringing out the refined simplicity of the work and the power of its melodies with unabashed emotion.
By popular demand, AudioNautes Recordings is now presenting a sonically impressive reissue of the 1961 Supraphon pressing, also available on UHQCD. Enjoy “Carmina Burana” in sound quality never heard before – and hurry! This limited-edition release will sell out fast!
MUSICIANS
• Conductor: Václav Smetáček
• Orchestra: The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
• Chorus master: Josef Veselka
• Choir: Czech Singers Choir
• Tenor: Jaroslav Tománek
• Baritone: Teodor Šrubař
• Soprano: Milada Šubrtová
UHQCD stands for Ultimate High Quality Compact Disc and is a joint development of the Japanese CD replication company Memory-Tech and the Audio Quality CD Company from Hong Kong. Unlike conventional CDs, UHQCDs are not pressed from polycarbonate, but cast from a photopolymer and cured with UV light. Another layer of high-purity polycarbonate is applied to the softer photopolymer for scratch protection. The combination results in significantly reduced reflection of laser light inside the CD and an unmatched precise edge transition between pits and lands of the CD. UHQCDs are 100% compatible with standard CD players. Musically, the result is a sound image strongly reminiscent of analog master tapes.
Title
Carl Orff (1895-1982): “Carmina Burana”
Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi
1. O Fortuna
2. Fortune Plango Vulnera
Primo Vere
3. Veris Leta Facies
4. Omnia Sol Temperat
5. Ecce Gratum
Uf Dem Anger
6. Dance
7. Floret Silva
8. Chramer, Gip Die Varwe Mir
9. Round Dance
10. Were Diu Werlt Alle Min
In Taberna
11. Estuans Interius
12. Olim Lacus Colueram
13. Ego Sum Abbas
14. In Taberna Quando Sumus
Cour D'Amours
15. Amor Volat Undique
16. Dies, Nox Et Omnia
17. Stetit Puella
18. Circa Mea Pectora
19. Si Puer Cum Puellula
20. Veni, Veni, Venias
21. In Trutina
22. Tempus Est Iocundum
23. Dulcissime
Blanziflor Et Helena
24. Ave Formosissima
Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi
25. O Fortuna
