What a way to open our concert season. Three extraordinary pieces of music by three very different composers.
Carmina Burana, such a joy to sing and so familiar (do we detect a hint of Old Spice?). Orff’s inspiration came from a selection of early 13th century English texts called ‘Wine, Women and Song’. We say no more.
“Everything I have written to date, and which you have, unfortunately, published, can be destroyed. With Carmina Burana my collected works begin.” Carl Orff
Bernstein asked why so many of us try to explain the beauty of music, thereby depriving it of its mystery? Yet beautiful this certainly is. Hopeful, life-affirming and springing from a crisis of faith, Chichester Psalms has a jazzy contemporary feel – only to be expected from the composer of West Side Story.
Finally we have Brahms in romantic mood, soaking up the music of gypsy bands and bewitching us with a roving eye, desperate longing and unrequited love. Written for piano and four hands. Gorgeous.