A Day With Carl Orff

Introduction

I don't know what this is, it is probably a Critique as Vocal doesn't include classical music in Beat. I have nine discs of Carl Orff in two box sets and today I played them all.

Carl Orff is responsible for my favourite piece of classical music, "Carmina Burana".

He is also responsible for "Gassenhauer" from his "Schulwerk" collection which is absolutely beautiful.

So How Did Today Go

Prometheus

The first album on the player was "Prometheus" which is spread over two CDs and starts off with a lot of shouting reminding me of Wagner's "Ring Cycle" but not an impossible listen.

The various other records are pleasant and will be played again, but I worked it in reverse to finish up with:

Carmina Burana

This is my favourite classical piece and was recorded by Ray Manzarek of The Doors but I still have not heard his version.

I have included the full version and this piece illustrates one of the problems with some classical music, it starts off as a whisper but the builds up to an almost deafening vicious crescendo. It is almost mystical and never fails to take my breath away.

While Orff is a great composer, this wipes the floor with most classical music and takes no prisoners.

This just samples the original texts but is a piece that should be in everyone's collection.

Gassenhauer

This is a beautiful piece from Orff's Schulwerk which was influential for children's music.

It was used as the theme to the film "Badlands":

Then Hans Zimmer "borrowed" it for the film of my favourite film of all time. Take a listen to both of them:

Watching this may make you want to watch the film.

Conclusion

As I said this is just a critique of the music I have been listening to today, and thoroughly enjoying.

I did not expect to listen to nine discs of music by Carl Orff, but I did, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

I hope you have listened to some of this, but thank you once more for reading.