July 10 - Carl Orff (The Musical Birthday Series)

Carl Orff (10 July 1895 – 29 March 1982) is largely remembered for his enduringly popular Carmina Burana, and his pedagogical Schulwerk.

O fortuna

When Fortune is with you, it’s great —

But remember before it’s too late,

A turn of the wheel

Is bound to reveal

The foul depredations of Fate!

Sing out loud! Sing out strong!

Carmina Burana is loud;

Whenever we hear it we’re cowed -

The carnal hysterics

Of medieval clerics

As yelled by a mixed choral crowd! 

Box Orffice

Carmina Burana is brash.

It begins and it ends with a splash.

All told, it’s not subtle,

And brooks no rebuttal,

But it certainly rakes in the cash.

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