Carl Orff Project by Rebecca, Tolu, Brianna, and Navjot

Composition Title: Music from Carmina Burana (O Fortuna)Title: Music from Carmina Burana (O Fortuna) Premiered:1937 at FrankfurtPremiered:1937 at Frankfurt Period Composed: 20 th CenturyPeriod Composed: 20 th Century

Composer Full Name: Carl OrffFull Name: Carl Orff Born July 10, 1895 and died March 29, 1982, both in Munich, GermanyBorn July 10, 1895 and died March 29, 1982, both in Munich, Germany Nationality: German (Bavarian)Nationality: German (Bavarian) Cities of Residence: MunichCities of Residence: Munich

Personal Life Born in Munich, Germany, on July 10, 1895Born in Munich, Germany, on July 10, 1895 Both of his grandfathers were major generalsBoth of his grandfathers were major generals His father was a German soldierHis father was a German soldier His mother was a pianist who helped him put his first compositions into musical notationHis mother was a pianist who helped him put his first compositions into musical notation Both were actively involved in the German militaryBoth were actively involved in the German military Had a younger sister named Maria who was three years younger than him.Had a younger sister named Maria who was three years younger than him. Fought in WWI, where he was severely injured and on the verge of dying until he recoveredFought in WWI, where he was severely injured and on the verge of dying until he recovered

Later Life Married four times Married four times Alice Solscher ( ), had one child together Alice Solscher ( ), had one child together Alice Willert ( ) Alice Willert ( ) Louise Rinser ( ) Louise Rinser ( ) Lislotte Schmitz (1960-death) Lislotte Schmitz (1960-death) After WWII, Orff claimed he was a part of the anti-Nazi movement, the White Rose, which was founded by one of his friends, Kurt Huber, who was killed by the Nazis during the war. After WWII, Orff claimed he was a part of the anti-Nazi movement, the White Rose, which was founded by one of his friends, Kurt Huber, who was killed by the Nazis during the war. Died on March 29, 1982 of cancer and is buried in Baroque Church in South Munich Died on March 29, 1982 of cancer and is buried in Baroque Church in South Munich

Career in early life Well versed in piano and organ by a young age due to his parents’ teachings, and enjoyed composing his own music rather than playing the compositions of others.Well versed in piano and organ by a young age due to his parents’ teachings, and enjoyed composing his own music rather than playing the compositions of others. Wrote a short story at the age of 10 that was published in a children’s magazine and wrote other stories and books later on.Wrote a short story at the age of 10 that was published in a children’s magazine and wrote other stories and books later on. One of his first works major works, Zarathustra, he wrote in 1912 and featured baritone vocals, three male choruses, orchestra, and passages from Nietzsche’s novel Thus Spoke ZarathustraOne of his first works major works, Zarathustra, he wrote in 1912 and featured baritone vocals, three male choruses, orchestra, and passages from Nietzsche’s novel Thus Spoke Zarathustra Joined the Munich Academy of Music in 1912, but left in 1914 to study with Hermann Zilcher.Joined the Munich Academy of Music in 1912, but left in 1914 to study with Hermann Zilcher. Became the director of the Munich Chamber Theatre in 1916Became the director of the Munich Chamber Theatre in 1916 Joined the military in 1917 to participate in WWI, but retired in 1918, when he joined opera houses in Manheim and DarmstadtJoined the military in 1917 to participate in WWI, but retired in 1918, when he joined opera houses in Manheim and Darmstadt Returned to Munich in 1919 and began to study music and composers from the 16 th and 17 th centuries (musicology)Returned to Munich in 1919 and began to study music and composers from the 16 th and 17 th centuries (musicology)

Later Career Began to develop concept of elementare Musik, based on the Greek Muses, in the 1920sBegan to develop concept of elementare Musik, based on the Greek Muses, in the 1920s Symbolized unity of the artsSymbolized unity of the arts Included all aspects of art, including tone, dance, poetry, design, theatre, and imageIncluded all aspects of art, including tone, dance, poetry, design, theatre, and image Led to the Orff-Schulwerk educational conceptLed to the Orff-Schulwerk educational concept In 1924, Orff and Dorothy Günther founded the Günther School for gymnastics, dance, and musicIn 1924, Orff and Dorothy Günther founded the Günther School for gymnastics, dance, and music Orff was the head of the department at Günther School until his deathOrff was the head of the department at Günther School until his death Carmina Burana premiered in 1937 and was very popular throughout Nazi GermanyCarmina Burana premiered in 1937 and was very popular throughout Nazi Germany Wrote music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but claimed that he had already written it 1917 before his connection to the Nazi Party, as this was a favor to the NazisWrote music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but claimed that he had already written it 1917 before his connection to the Nazi Party, as this was a favor to the Nazis Last work before his death was De Temporum Fine Comoedia, which premiered in 1973Last work before his death was De Temporum Fine Comoedia, which premiered in 1973

Historical Significance Most famous for Carmina BuranaMost famous for Carmina Burana Part of the trilogy “Triumph”Part of the trilogy “Triumph” Also included “Catulli Carmina” and “Trionfo di Afrodite”Also included “Catulli Carmina” and “Trionfo di Afrodite” Formulated a new concept called elementary music that was based on the Ancient Greek MusesFormulated a new concept called elementary music that was based on the Ancient Greek Muses Contributed to the development of elementary music education.Contributed to the development of elementary music education. Awarded the Music Prize of the city of Munich in 1947Awarded the Music Prize of the city of Munich in 1947 Also remembered for his Schulwerk, a set of pieces composed and published for school childrenAlso remembered for his Schulwerk, a set of pieces composed and published for school children Most work was centered around narratives such as operas, poems and plays, and his later works were inspired by Latin textsMost work was centered around narratives such as operas, poems and plays, and his later works were inspired by Latin texts

Output 4 Cantatas4 Cantatas 10 Operas10 Operas 2 Concertos2 Concertos 1 string quartet1 string quartet

Compositional Techniques Form: Scenic Cantata (a secular work for choir, soloists and an orchestra)Form: Scenic Cantata (a secular work for choir, soloists and an orchestra) Meter(s): ¾Meter(s): ¾ Tempo(i): Pesante, Allegro, Piu MossoTempo(i): Pesante, Allegro, Piu Mosso Key(s): D-minorKey(s): D-minor Orchestration/instrumentation: Scored for a large orchestra, band instruments (flutes, oboes, clarinet, etc.), and a chorus, but our arrangement is scored for a string orchestraOrchestration/instrumentation: Scored for a large orchestra, band instruments (flutes, oboes, clarinet, etc.), and a chorus, but our arrangement is scored for a string orchestra Style/texture: Medieval, Gregorian chant-likeStyle/texture: Medieval, Gregorian chant-like

Meaning/Significance The meaning of O Fortuna is O Fortune and Carmina Burana means “Songs of Beuren”. Songs of Beuren refers to the collection of songs and poems of the 13th century that were found in Beuren (1803). O Fortuna is linked to the Nazi regime because it was supposed to display the Nazi values. Nowadays the piece is used as background music for intense scenes. The meaning of O Fortuna is O Fortune and Carmina Burana means “Songs of Beuren”. Songs of Beuren refers to the collection of songs and poems of the 13th century that were found in Beuren (1803). O Fortuna is linked to the Nazi regime because it was supposed to display the Nazi values. Nowadays the piece is used as background music for intense scenes.

Translation of Lyrics O Fortune, Fortune, like the moon you are changeable, ever waxing and waning; hateful life first oppresses and then soothes as fancy takes it; poverty and power it melts them like ice. Fate – monstrous and empty, you whirling wheel, you are malevolent, well-being is vain and always fades to nothing, shadowed and veiled you plague me too; now through the game I bring my bare back to your villainy. Fate is against me in health and virtue, driven on and weighted down, always enslaved. So at this hour without delay pluck the vibrating strings; since Fate strikes down the strong man, everyone weep with me!

Connections Orff was influenced by pro-fascist ideologies and had a strong relationship with the Nazi party Although his work “Carmina Burana” was popular in Nazi Germany, it was denounced and believed to have taunts towards the Nazis. His works were greatly based on texts or poems on Antiquity He seeks inspiration from earlier eras and used them in his contemporary theatrical presentations.

Interesting points Orff listened to compositions from earlier eras to add and antique style to his theatrical presence rather than listening to new styles.Orff listened to compositions from earlier eras to add and antique style to his theatrical presence rather than listening to new styles.

Sources phphttp:// 331.php propaganda/third-reich/orff-carl/ propaganda/third-reich/orff-carl/ burana/ -burana/