CARMINA BURANA, Orff - SYMPHONY No. 9, Beethoven

Carmina Burana, Carl Orff's most famous work, celebrates life, love, dancing, drinking and hedonism - but always with an eye on the designs of fate. Based on 24 mediaeval Latin poems whose carefree spirit contrasts vividly with the traditional concepts of life and death in the Middle Ages, this sweeping and powerful cantata for large-scale chorus, orchestra and soloists was a huge success at its premiere in 1937. Its worldwide popularity since then has made it a firm favourite with among singers and audiences alike. It will be accompanied by the 9th Symphony by Beethoven with his immortal “Ode to Joy”.