The Saturday July 14 and 21 concerts during this summer’s Carmel Bach Festival feature Carl Orff’s musical spectacle Carmina Burana.
This music is one of the best-known and popular of 20th century compositions. The powerful opening “O Fortuna” has enormous volume and energy, is instantly recognizable, and will pin you to your seat.
The cantata portrays medieval life, including religious verses, social satires, and bawdy drinking songs through rich and evocative music for full chorus, soprano, tenor and baritone soloists.
The opening piece on the concert might make you feel like dancing!
Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 1 features French-flavored individual dances in the most popular forms of Bach’s era, including a peasant dance, lively folk dances, and elegant minuets. The Orchestral Suite No. 1, like the other three such suites and the six Brandenburg concerti, is lively, fun and charming.
Those attending the July 14 opening night performance are invited to a special pre-concert wine reception beginning at 6:00 pm.
Carmina Burana is a morality piece, written for today but with texts from medieval times,” says Bach Festival Artistic Director Paul Goodwin regarding the Saturday programs. “In its straightforward, colorful and arresting music it vividly portrays the wheel of fortune, taking us through drinking, gluttony, lust and joy—exciting us and making us reflect in equal measure.
And the grandeur of Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 1 is a fitting piece to open the Bach Festival.”
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