I probably have more Carl Orff than anybody needs. Some of the pieces are ceremonial and perhaps more effective if heard live; they have way too much talk, in German, for repeated listening on record.
He did write a delightful “Christmas Story” for children, in collaboration with Gunild Keetman. There’s also a charming piece for winds, harpsichord and percussion, “Kleines Konzert,” inspired by 16th century lute pieces. One of them was also used by Ottorino Respighi (whose birthday I neglected yesterday) in one of the “Ancient Airs and Dances” suites.
There’s an operatic double-bill, recorded by Wolfgang Sawallisch, of “Die Kluge” (“The Wise Girl”) and “Der Mond” (“The Moon”), both after the Brothers Grimm. It features singers such as Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Hans Hotter; but be forewarned, they were recorded in mono, if that’s a dealbreaker for you. If not, you’ll probably enjoy them.
However, if all you’re interested in is “Carmina Burana” (later expanded by the composer into a trilogy, with the more monochromatic “Catulli Carmina” and “Trionfo di Afrodite”), it’s my opinion that, unless you are a deranged Orffphile, you’re good. If you’re like me, on the other hand, you might still be curious to give the other works a listen.
Many years ago, I had a chance to pick up all the Orff operas recorded for Deutsche Grammophon, which wound up in a clearance bin at Philadelphia’s HMV Records (now long gone). But even at the slashed prices, it would have been a pinch for me to buy everything. Would I ever actually listen to them? Probably, eventually. Once.
At the time, I assumed I would be able to do very little with them on the air, often a factor when deciding whether or not to commit to such an expenditure. Would I buy them now, if they came through Princeton Record Exchange for a few bucks? Sure.
I happened to be a PREX only last week and almost missed this six-CD box of Orff’s “Musica Poetica,” a collection of his “Schulwerk,” percussion-heavy educational music conceived for performance by the young, again amassed with the assistance of Gunild Keetman. It was too prominently displayed. I spend most of my time down on the floor flipping through the dollar boxes.
I already own three of the discs – previously purchased at the Exchange – but for $9.99, I couldn’t let it pass. Will I listen to them for pleasure? Who knows. Maybe not. But I have drawn from the other discs for my radio shows.
Happy birthday, Carl Orff, you old note-spinner, you.
More about Orff’s “Schulwerk” here:
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