Carl Orff - Carmina Burana (Eugen Jochum)

Information

Composer: Carl Orff

• Carmina Burana

Gundula Janowitz, soprano

Gerhard Stolze, tenor

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone

Schöneberger Sängerknaben

Chor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin

Eugen Jochum, conductor

Date: 1967

Label: Deutsche Grammophon

-----------------------------------------------------------

Review

Since its original release, Jochum's performance has consistently been a prime recommendation for this much-recorded piece. Listening to it again in the superbly remastered sound, one can easily hear why. He pays great attention to detail – particularly with regard to tempo and articulation – yet the performance as a whole has a tremendous cogent sweep and the choruses have terrific power. The more reflective sections are not neglected, however, and movements such as ''Stetit Puella'', with Janowitz sounding alluring and fey, have surely never been more sensitively handled. Stolze is ideal as the roasted swan and Fischer-Dieskau encompasses the very varied requirements of the baritone's music with ease. In spite of the presence of more than 30 rivals in the catalogue, this distinguished performance, authorized by the composer and now sounding better than ever, easily retains its place at the head of the queue.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Carl Orff (10 July 1895 – 29 March 1982) was a German composer. Educated at the Munich Academy of Music, he later worked as a conductor and developed his pedagogical approach. Orff gained international recognition with Carmina Burana (1937), a staged secular oratorio based on medieval poetry, followed by related works such as Catulli carmina and Trionfo di Afrodite. His compositions often drew on Greek theatre and medieval traditions. Additionally, Orff created a widely adopted educational method emphasizing rhythm, group performance and percussion. He also co-founded the Günther School in Munich.

***

Eugen Jochum (1 November 1902 – 26 March 1987) was a German conductor. Trained at the Munich Academy of Music, he began his career as a répétiteur before advancing to major conducting roles across Germany. He later served as principal conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. Jochum also appeared regularly at major festivals such as Bayreuth and Salzburg. Known for his interpretations of German Romantic repertoire, he played a key role in preserving and transmitting this musical tradition while also premiering works by contemporary composers.

-----------------------------------------------------------