Kenneth asked:
Can anyone give me any > info on this work, a synopsis perhaps, recommend a good recording of it? > Your help would greatly appreciated.
I went to see an open air version of it some years ago. I'll translate and summarize the information I have:
"It was composed in 1937 by Carl Orff and was based on medieval latin poetry. It was originally created to be presented as choir opera. Its verses were written 700 years ago in vulgar latin and archaic French and German. The songs have criticize the Roman Catholic clergy. They were written 'clerici vagi', men who acquired formal education from the Church and then abandoned it, living on the roads in Europe. They were compiled around 1230 by the beniditine monks in Germany and remained forgotten for centuries in their library.
It's deliberately anti-romantic music has almost no harmony. There's an "Orff Center" in Munique. They may have a website."
People say the recording with a famous Japanese conductor ( can't remember his name now ) is the best. I have one with the Saint Louis Simphony Orchestra & Chorus, conducted by Leonard Slatkin. It's accompanying book has it translated into English, German and French, and as I can recall the other one has it translated to English only.
The one I saw was performed by Herbert Hechenberger ( tenor ), Eva Lind soprano ) and Michael Kraus ( baritone ). On my cd it's sung by John Aler tenor ), Hakan Hagegard ( baritone ) and Sylvia McNair ( soprano ).
Hope it was helpful,
Bye,
Caio Rossi
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