Carmina Burana (original version)

Clemencic Consort directed by René Clemencic

Oehms Classics OC 635

Every day for the past 30 years, a performance of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana has taken place somewhere in the world [The Independent].

It is good to have the opportunity to hear these 11th-13th century songs, "pious & contemplative as well as joyous eating and drinking songs", in a well researched version for two singers and medieval instruments assembled by René Clemencic (recorders & gemshorns).

All the texts are presented trilingually and the singing of counter tenor Markus Forster is notable in some of the beautiful sacred songs.

Indispensible for anyone who is curious to put Orff's version into context and supplied here with a lavish 80 page booklet which tells you all you will want to know.

Peter Grahame Woolf

see CARMINA BURANA MONUMENTAL OPERA at Greenwich O2