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Everything you need to know about ‘Carmina Burana,’ Hollywood’s go-to music for epic movie moments

BBG News

This coming Sunday, the Los Angeles Master Chorale is set to fill the halls of Walt Disney Concert Hall with the powerful, catchy cantata by Carl Orff titled “Carmina Burana”. Accompanied by an orchestra and two children’s choirs, they will also present the world debut of Reena Esmail’s composition, “Jahaaṅ: Five Indian Folk Songs.

Carmina Burana” is a well-known piece in the classical music world, often performed and easily recognized from the 20th century. However, one may wonder: What’s it all about, and what draws choirs back time and again to this “wheel of fate”?

Here is everything you need to know about “Carmina Burana.”

Where have I heard this before?

Perhaps, over the past 40 years or so, it feels like “Carmina Burana” has been featured in countless movie trailers (a slight exaggeration, but not far off). The relationship between this piece of music and cinema may have officially started in 1981 with the film “Excalibur,” where the opening movement “O Fortuna” was powerfully used to underscore King Arthur’s dramatic entrance into battle alongside his knights. Given its medieval setting, it made perfect sense, but it also showcased just how truly epic and cinematic this ancient song could be – a trend that the rapidly escalating world of entertainment began to embrace by using “O Fortuna” (the most famous movement from the cantata, which frames the hour-long work) as an injection of musical power in various productions.

In the movie “The Doors,” Oliver Stone incorporated “O Fortuna” in a scene depicting Jim Morrison participating in a pagan ritual involving drinking blood. Interestingly, Ray Manzarek, who played keyboards for The Doors, created an unusual rock version of “Carmina Burana” in 1983. This piece was frequently used in trailers throughout the ’80s and ’90s, appearing in diverse films such as “Glory,” “Waterworld,” and “The Nutty Professor.” “The Nutty Professor” served as an example of how the frequent use of this dramatic oratorio made it ideal for parody by blending humor with its intense seriousness. In a similar vein, “O Fortuna” was utilized in numerous advertisements — including Old Spice and Carlton Draught beer — as well as in several episodes of “The Simpsons.

However, numerous artists chose to treat the piece with great significance, using it as a means to emphasize their own importance. For instance, Michael Jackson incorporated it in a compilation of his global concerts and the frenzy they ignited; many rappers and hip-hop artists have used it as a sample, like Nas’s “Hate Me Now” – and various sports teams have utilized it to whip up enthusiasm among their home crowd.

These days, you’re most likely to hear “O Fortuna” used ironically in a TikTok video.

Who wrote it: when, where and why?

In 1936, Carl Orff created “Carmina Burana,” using a diverse range of poems and songs, primarily written in Latin by unknown authors. These works date back to the 11th century and were found in a monastery located in Bavaria, Germany, in 1803. It was during 1934 that Carl Orff, a German composer with a penchant for ancient history, encountered these pieces. He was profoundly captivated by them.

Upon opening it immediately, Orff was captivated by the well-known image titled ‘Fortune With the Wheel,’ accompanied by the lines: ‘O Fortuna velut Luna statu variabilis…’. This picture and text gripped him tightly.

He described a vivid mental image of a theatrical piece that combined singing and dancing, synchronizing with images and text. It instantly came to life in his mind, he then rapidly created a 25-chapter musical narrative for a grand choir, soloists, and orchestras filled with grandeur. Structured into three sections – “Primo Vere” (Spring), “In Taberna” (In the Tavern), and “Cour d’Amours” (The Court of Love) – it offers a dynamic exploration of life through turbulent, joyful, and romantic scenes. Musically echoing Bavarian folk melodies, drinking songs, and love ballads, yet surrounded by the resonating battle cries of “O Fortuna.

How was it received when it premiered?

The performance, initially staged by the Frankfurt Opera in June 1937, featuring costumed artists and scenery, was a tremendous success! Over time, it transformed into a purely orchestral composition.

In Germany, the reviews were favorable, leading to numerous performances of the piece in Orff’s native country. It took about two decades for it to arrive in America, where it first premiered at Carnegie Hall in June 1954. Once introduced here, it rapidly gained popularity in the classical music scene and swiftly became one of the most frequently performed and recorded choral compositions of the 20th century.

Why was it controversial?

During Germany’s Nazi regime, Orff composed this piece, which found favor among the Nazis – its themes aligning somewhat uneasily with their aggressive propaganda, fueled by testosterone. Orff himself wasn’t a member of the Nazi party, but it remains uncertain just how close he was to those who initially championed his cantata.

One additional reason is that translating Latin can be essential because certain song lyrics contain explicit or outdated political views, as demonstrated by this example: “My virginity excites me / My innocence restrains me.

So … should I not bring my kids?

Personally, I’ve found that “Carmina Burana” stands out as one of the most appealing and catchy orchestral pieces from the last century in the world of classical music. It’s been a sort of introduction, a gateway if you will, for countless generations into the vast sea of classical compositions. There’s a good chance your children have already encountered “O Fortuna” somewhere, and when they do, they might share their enthusiasm by describing it as sounding like music from films.

What has it influenced?

Apart from being featured in numerous films, “O Fortuna” is also noticeably reflected in countless Hollywood film scores. These compositions often employ grand choruses and vast orchestras to evoke a similar atmosphere. For instance, consider the ominous “Ave Satani” in Jerry Goldsmith’s “The Omen” soundtrack, or John Williams’ “Duel of the Fates” from “The Phantom Menace.

Did you know? During the process of choosing the musical style for “2001: A Space Odyssey,” Stanley Kubrick found himself drawn to “Carmina Burana” so strongly that he even reached out to Carl Orff and requested him to compose the movie’s soundtrack. However, Orff, who was 71 at the time, declined the offer.

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2025-03-12 13:35

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