Carmina Burana!

I was expecting to see dancing in the Carmina Burana performance. There was not but 2 sections of dance by no more than 3 people. I was really disappointed in that aspect of the performance. The conductor took far too many liberties in Carl Orff's masterwork. The piece calls for certain tempos at certain times and that was ignored in Ecce gratum and the final song O fortuna. The second violins are to be commended for their quick reaction to their four measure early entrance early in the piece. That particular passage was a perfect place to do that for the second violins, theoretically. It was still harmonically appealing, though it was not what was written. I was impressed with the fluid performance of Reie, though I fancy a more present contra bassoon.

I really appreciated the chorus of men on Si puer cum. The power of those voices shown through and the accents were executed confidently. The tenor was a bit of a let down. He had to revert to falsetto to bring out those high notes. He sang beautifully, but it would have been better to hear solid tenor. The soprano delivered beautifully with great articulation on Amor volat undique, but she threw her voice with poor accuracy through the next solos. The baritone, though I at first thought was not that good, actually impressed me in the second portion. He had some trouble with Estuans interius, but came back with his next solos. I appreciated highly his interaction with the music with his voice and his movements.

The Childrens Chorus was wonderfully trained and attacked each entrance with precision in Amor volat undique. I was extremely impressed with their chorus of "O,o,o. Totus floreo..." They are to be highly commended and encouraged for their wonderful performance!

Having studied and performed this piece and its history myself, the program was dis-satisfactory with most blame to rest at the director/conductor's feet. The chorus and orchestra committed themselves wonderfully to what the conductor wanted, and for that, I give them good commendation.

I drove 2 hours to see Carl Orff's masterpiece interpreted through dancing of a corps of 8-12 dancers, at least that is how the advertising of this program came off. I do not believe I would be back to another MSO performance unless I lived closer.