“Perfectly wrong…” Robert Shaw is widely regarded as the foremost choral conductor of his generation, and perhaps even of all time. Shaw’s choruses had a unique sound because of his obsession with diction, purity, and blend, creating some of the most graceful and technically pristine renditions of many of the great choral masterworks.

Orff’s writing, on the other hand, is for the most part anything but graceful. Carmina Burana is one of his tamer works by far, but there is still plenty of evidence associating it with the rough, barbaric texture of his other works, which often include shouting from the chorus and explosions of sound from his beloved percussion (i.e. `De temporum fine comoedia’). The Nazi party in particular, who especially enjoyed Carmina Burana, championed the crude, primitive, and powerfully motivational excitement of his music.

I find that in this recording, Shaw stays true to his form, creating beautiful, graceful sounds from his chorus, which in the case of this co…

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Product Description

As much as critics–and many musicians–love to hate this work, Carmina Burana is a uniquely entertaining and justly popular theatrical masterpiece. This collection of 13th-century secular poems, originally found in a Bavarian monastery, were selected, set to original music, and arranged for a large modern orchestra, vocal soloists, and choirs by German composer Carl Orff. Orff ingeniously used these large forces to create a work of astonishing and powerful simplicity. The simplest melodies, primal rhythms, and rudimentary orchestration combine for an unforgettably dynamic musical and dramatic experience. This is one of the first digital recordings of the work, and one of the more successful in balancing the large numbers of singers and instrumentalists. Judith Blegen’s lovely rendition of “In trutina” is worth many hearings, and the energy and excitement generated in the sections for full choir and orchestra are something you just have to experience. –David Vernier

Carl Orff: Carmina Burana aduio CD
A good orchestral rendition of this work. Not spectacular, but definitely good….more info

Decent Shaw recording but there is better.
Hmmmmm….one must wonder what others have heard in this that perhaps I didnt hear. Ok, let me make sure that no one even dare interprets this as a ranting against Shaw. No, it’s not a ranting against Shaw in any way, shape, or form for that matter. As a matter of fact, I want to even go on the record here and state for all those that wish to know it that “SHAW IS MY FAVORITE CHORAL CONDUCTOR OF ALL”!. There, did I get a little carried too far with that? I hope not but if so then trust me I’m not going to lessen my tone even still. He’s my favorite choral conductor ever and that is the way it shall always be.

With that being said I have to say that while he is my favorite choral conductor that he is not perfect. By no means should you think that because he’s my favorite conductor that I’ll only give a biased review of him with 5 stars, two thumbs up, and all the works. Not only wont I give this recording that sort of review but I’ll go on the record and state that if you did see such a review of this recording than I’d be flat out lying. I cant do that! I cant simply give him a great review on a CD that I just know there are better versions of.

What is it with this CD that quite simply the other critics perhaps did not note? Well, what about the tenor? Please, dont even try to sell me that “this is the best tenor for the job” sort of thing. Shaw is capable of having some of the most talented tenors record CDs with him. This one is certainly not on that level. I found myself all too often simply pressing the forward button on my CD player each and everytime his part came up on the CD.

My other complaint? OK, so maybe it’s just somehow my recording but I seriously doubt it. The actual recording itself is a little too low and I have to turn my CD player up a little higher than normal in order to hear it decently. This is Telarc for the love of God, I know that they’re capable of coming out with a better production of this recording. (Sigh). Oh well.

Listen, if you think for a second that I’m nailing the casket shut on this CD you are mistaken sadly. I did give this THREE stars and not one. So, since I dont give out many 5 star reviews and I only buy CDs that I’d give at least 3 stars what did I like about this? I liked the fact that Hakan Hagegard is able to shine through with his version of “Ego Sum Abbas” which is obviously the most important bass solo on the CD. The men respond with a strong “WAFNA” which if you were hearing it live you’d most likely almost fall back from the intensity of the moment. Judith Blegen does an accurate job as well though I cant say for certain why I feel she has most likely performed this solo better than what comes through in this recording. William Brown? Grrrr….lets not go there for this review. Nothing personal but, I didnt know they had a “Tenors for Rent” shop in Atlanta somewhere.

All in all, Shaw still comes away with a decent recording but PLEASE, and I mean PLEASE, dont be persuaded into thinking that this is in any way the perfect little version of Carmina Burana you could get. You can get better if you try. I’m getting ready to give it another go myself….more info

Just Awful!
This version of the Carl Orff masterpiece cruises along acceptably until the tenor solo. I had to take the CD out of the player to see if there was something wrong with it. It’s just painful to listen to. Instead of this version, I would suggest either the Leonard Slatkin/St. Louis Symphony or the more recent version with Christian Thielemann/Duetsche Oper Berlin. Both treat the piece with the wild abandon and exitement it deserves and, more importantly all the soloists give fine performances in both versions….more info