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Carmina Burana
Boston Camerata, Joel Cohen, Orff
Carmina Burana
Genres: Special Interest, Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (21) - Disc #1

You'll have trouble sitting still when you listen to this lively, fun collection of songs from the famous 13th century Benediktbeuren monastery manuscript known as Carmina Burana. The most important compendium of secular...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Boston Camerata, Joel Cohen, Orff, Harvard University Choir
Title: Carmina Burana
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Elektra / Wea
Release Date: 6/10/1997
Genres: Special Interest, Classical
Style: Holiday & Wedding
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 706301498729, 825646208463

Synopsis

Amazon.com
You'll have trouble sitting still when you listen to this lively, fun collection of songs from the famous 13th century Benediktbeuren monastery manuscript known as Carmina Burana. The most important compendium of secular medieval Latin poetry, Carmina Burana sheds fascinating light on the activities of a number of poets and composers--many of their names are forgotten today--whose often irreverent stories and poetic descriptions seem at odds with their religious affiliations. The ruthless unpredictability of fate, the delightful turmoil and tribulations of love, the sensuality of springtime--all of these topics are addressed, sometimes with poetic elegance, but just as often with unsubtle lasciviousness and vulgarity. The Boston Camerata gives us a delightful mix, projecting the kind of dramatic energy normally felt only in live performance. --David Vernier
 

CD Reviews

Spectacular!
Ariane | Santa Cruz, US, Canada | 09/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Last year, I had the privilege of performing Carl Orff's 1936 setting of "Carmina Burana" with my university choir. I enjoyed the music, but I was more intrigued by the lyrics - what sort of world did they fit into, with their lamentations of Fortune's fickleness, plaints of love, and bawdy drinking songs? And how were they meant to be sung in the 13th century, when the manuscript was thought to have been written? A friend recommended this CD, and I was hooked instantly. It is so evocative of the world of the Carmina poems: the plainsong reminds one of the monastic world that these poets lived in, and the bright, joyous instrumentations of the dances and love songs convey to us the more vibrant side of medieval life. For anyone who thought music of the Middle Ages was limited to Gregorian chant, this recording is a revelation. Joel Cohen and the Boston Camerata have also performed an impressive feat of scolarship recreating the melodies from the manuscript. The performers are true virtuousi, especially the vocalists: their marvelous voices shine through this song cycle, with the clear, bright timbre that suits the early music repertoire so well. I highly recommend this CD to anyone with an interest in early music, or as a fantastic introduction to those unfamiliar with music of this period."