Carl ORFF (1895-1982)
Carmina Burana
Edita Gruberova (soprano)
John Aler (tenor)
Thomas Hampson (baritone)
Shin Yu-Kai Choir
Knabenchor des Staats-und Domchores Berlin
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa
PHILIPS 464 725-2 (50
Great Recordings series)
[60.20]
Crotchet AmazonUK
AmazonUS
You're either a sucker for Carmina Burana or you can't stick it; I'm
of the former persuasion, whether in a live concert or in an outstanding
recording such as this. All the elements here are of the highest quality
- the three soloists, the BPO of course, and the choirs; about whom, by the
way, I would like to know much more. The booklets that accompany these Philips
'50 Great Recordings' are less than informative. A Japanese Chorus recording
this work in Germany surely needs some comment but gets none at all. Anyway,
the Shin Yu-Kai Choir sing superbly and with total commitment. The men produce
suitably lusty tone when needed, and the women are not found wanting by the
sometimes cruelly high writing for them.
Ozawa brings tremendous rhythmic drive to the whole thing, as well as a tonal
brilliance that is thrilling. At the same time, he allows the softer sections
the poise and dreaminess they need, and controls the tempo fluctuations with
a perfect sense of timing. Gruberova's high D in the 'Dulcissime' solo is
superbly sung - though it sounds almost too much under control; there ought
perhaps to be something more primitive about this defining moment in the
piece.
For me, the ultimate recording of this work was Jochum's DG recording of
the late 60s, and the crucial difference between that and Ozawa's version
is made by the soloists. Jochum had Fischer-Dieskau in top form as his baritone,
and the incomparable Gundula Janowitz as his soprano. Add to those Gerhard
Stolze as an outrageous barbecued swan and you have an unforgettable and
unrepeatable combination.
Nonetheless, this Philips version takes some beating, and must be up there
among the very finest recordings of the work available today.
Gwyn Parry-Jones
