Execution of a hypnotic masterpiece by Karl Orff at the opening of the season of the Smolensk Philharmonic

SMOLENSK. Full house at the opening of the Philharmonic season on October 2, 2015. The mysterious “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff sounded.

The audience’s interest in the concert was predetermined. The philosophical cantata of Karl Orff rarely sounds at concerts of classical music because of the high demands placed on its performance. Yurlov’s choir chapel is one of those rare collectives that can do it. The presence in their repertoire of compositions by Schnittke, Britten, Bach, cooperation with T. Currentzis, F. Strobel, M. Gorenstein is the best confirmation of this. The Smolensk Symphony Orchestra turned out to be a worthy companion in creating a large-scale musical canvas of amazing beauty and power of influence.

As a literary basis, verses from the 1300 manuscript found in the Benedictine monastery in the early 19th century were chosen. The attitude to the cantata in Germany was mixed. She enjoyed considerable popularity, but was attributed to degenerative music. It is pleasant and honorable to be in the same company with Schoenberg, Weil, Toch, Hindemith and Stravinsky. But the probability of paying with freedom and life was not excluded, especially for a native of a Jewish family.

Orff selected old texts differ in genre and content - philosophical and romantic ballads, table songs, round dances with a dominant image of the Wheel of Fortune. The mesmerizing effect can be achieved with a clear rhythm and powerful expression of percussion instruments.

It was these techniques that subsequently formed the basis of the Karl Orff system, developed for the musical education of children. The German composer was also a great teacher. Using simple percussion instruments, “unleashing” the internal rhythm, elementary playing music, and constant improvisation, using the Orff technique, achieve maximum emancipation and release of creative potential. There is a significant improvement in the psychological and physical condition of children and adults, which allows the use of the technique for psychotherapeutic purposes.

The performance of Carmina Burana in the Smolensk Philharmonic was a worthy gift for the 120th anniversary of Karl Orff, which is celebrated in 2015.