THE SYNCRETIC - SPECTACULAR DIMENSION OF THE CANTATA CARMINA BURANA BY CARL ORFF

Abstract

The cantata Carmina Burana, a creation of the German composer Carl Orff, composed between 1935-1936, writen for soprano, countertenor, baritone, mixed choir, children’s choir and a large orchestral apparatus, represents one of the universal musical masterpieces in which the syncretic aspect of the work is as evident as possible, thus supporting the composer’s desire to appeal not only to the classical form of artistic manifestation in the concert version but also within choreographyc performances or directorial productions. Orff chose 24 Latin poems, written in the 11th-12th centuries, which constitute the literary support in expressing his own compositional vision, in a simple, direct musical language, accessible to any category of audience.