The Detroit Symphony Orchestra and it's Music Director Jader Bignamini present Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, one of the most electrifying works of the twentieth century. Drawing on thirteenth-century manuscripts from Benediktbeuern Abbey, Orff transformed the exuberant, irreverent texts of wandering scholars and rebellious clerics into a monumental scenic cantata. From the iconic opening of "O Fortuna" to the exuberant outdoor dances, tavern scenes, and courtly love interludes, the work pulses with elemental rhythms and striking orchestration, with chorus, percussion, two pianos, and celesta playing central roles. Motifs from "O Fortuna" recur throughout, linking the contrasting worlds of humour, erotic longing, and the inexorable wheel of fate.Orff balances diatonic simplicity with rhythmic ostinati, while movements such as the flute-timpani duet, castanets solo, and piano-percussion passages evoke primal energy and recall Stravinsky's Les noces. From the introspective soprano arias in "In trutina" to the sardonic baritone tavern numbers, the score alternates between joy, melancholy, and satire, culminating in the final return of "O Fortuna" to close the cycle. Following their acclaimed release of Marsalis' Blues Symphony in March 2025, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Jader Bignamini return to PENTATONE, reaffirming their mastery of landmark repertoire.

Tracklist:

Carmina Burana-Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Fortune, Empress of the World). I. O Fortuna
Carmina Burana-Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Fortune, Empress of the World). II. Fortune Plango Vulnera
Carmina Burana-I. Primo Vere (In Springtime). III. Veris Leta Facies
Carmina Burana-I. Primo Vere (In Springtime). IV. Omnia Sol Temperat
Carmina Burana-I. Primo Vere (In Springtime). V. Ecce Gratum
Carmina Burana-Uf Dem Anger (On the Green/In the Meadow). VI. Tanz
Carmina Burana-Uf Dem Anger (On the Green/In the Meadow). VII. Floret Silva Nobilis
Carmina Burana-Uf Dem Anger (On the Green/In the Meadow). VIII. Chramer, Gip Die Varwe Mir
Carmina Burana-Uf Dem Anger (On the Green/In the Meadow). IX. Reie. Swaz Hie Gat Umbe-Chume, Chum, Geselle Min-Swaz Hie Gat Umbe
Carmina Burana-Uf Dem Anger (On the Green/In the Meadow). X. Were Diu Werlt Alle Min
Carmina Burana-II. in Taberna (In the Tavern). XI. Estuans Interius
Carmina Burana-II. in Taberna (In the Tavern). XII. Olim Lacus Colueram
Carmina Burana-II. in Taberna (In the Tavern). XIII. Ego Sum Abbas
Carmina Burana-II. in Taberna (In the Tavern). XIV. in Taberna Quando Sumus
Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours (The Court of Love). XV. Amor Volat Undique
Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours (The Court of Love). XVI. Dies, Nox Et Omnia
Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours (The Court of Love). XVII. Stetit Puella
Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours (The Court of Love). XVIII. Circa Mea Pectora
Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours (The Court of Love). XIX. Si Puer Cum Puellula
Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours (The Court of Love). XX. Veni, Veni, Venias
Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours (The Court of Love). XXI. in Trutina
Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours (The Court of Love). XXII. Tempus Est Iocundum
Carmina Burana-III. Cour D'amours (The Court of Love). XXIII. Dulcissime
Carmina Burana-Blanzifor Et Helena. XXIV. Ave Formosissima
Carmina Burana-Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi. XXV. O Fortuna (Reprise)

UPC: 8717306265195
Label: Pentatone
Release Date: 6.26.26
Format: CD

Chen Reiss - Orff: Carmina Burana (CD)