Carl Orff’s “confidently sensuous celebration of life’s hedonistic pleasures” (Ivan March) takes as its source a collection of mediaeval verse and song popularly performed by wandering minstrels. Despite being discovered in a monastery, the songs, mostly in German or Mediaeval Latin, are far from holy!
Many will instantly recognise the well-known O Fortuna, proclaiming Fortune or Luck as “The Empress of the World”. It begins and ends a work full of songs of longing and lust, of bawdy and riotous living, of high emotion and irreverent mockery, underpinned by the unusual, driving rhythms Orff employs so skilfully. Carmina Burana has become a standard in many choral societies and is always popular with audiences, who are captivated by the drive and vitality of the rhythms and the appeal of the tunes, with all their variety of tone and mood.
Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) considered his Te Deum his best work. Received with huge enthusiasm at its 1885 premiere, the work offers a complete contrast to the Orff. It is a devout rendition of the traditional Latin hymn of praise (We praise thee, O God), which has been set to music by many composers both past and present.
Doors open 6.45pm, concert starts 7.30pm and includes an interval.
Tickets £18, 12-18 years & fulltime students 18-22 years £10, under 12s £5, available online at www.newburychoral.org.uk and on the door until sold out.