In the musical and theatrical landscape of our time, the life and work of Carl Orff (1895-1982) take a central position for they caused enthusiasm and antagonism, and were respected and rejected. But in all instances, they excited vivid, living music-making, stimulating communication between performing artists, the public and their confrontation with the compositions themselves. Carl Orff was born in Munich, the Bavarian capital, in 1895. In the middle of the 1950’s, he returned to his hometown area, settling down for more than 30 years in the Lake Ammersee region to which he remained true the rest of his life. His works, along those of Richard Strauss (also a native-born Münchner, and loyal Bavarian) through their beauty and brilliance beamed out to the world well beyond Bavaria’s borders. Orff is one of the world’s most famous names in music of the 20th century. Indeed, his “Carmina Burana” is the most popular, most-frequently played choral work in the whole world. Carl Orff’s remains lie in the Chapel of Sorrows in the Andechs Monastery and Pilgrimage Church, placed there at his own express request. |
