Eugene Ormandy - Orff - Carmina Burana (Essential Classics)

Orff: Carmina Burana (Essential Classics)

By   Eugene Ormandy

Very Good Condition

Compared with some of the digitally recorded versions of Carmina Burana currently in circulation, this one has fairly archaic sonics. Nonetheless, the Philadelphia Orchestra is playing the tunes, and they don't miss a trick. Ormandy was never one to sensationalize a score, especially not one with so many sensations built in. Here, he simply stands back and lets his band play it, which they do quite commendably. There are a lot of "young" voices in the chorus, which is a plus in this piece, and the singing is fresh and light, both in spirit and in sound. The soloists show that you don't have to be slumming opera stars or lieder singers to do justice to the music; indeed, the lack of pretense and hot-dogging in their renditions is downright refreshing. In spite of the tape hiss and a slight graininess to the treble, the recording is spacious and well balanced. Unfortunately, there is no text, no translation. --Ted Libbey