Orff: Carmina Burana

It may be dated - but this recording of Orff's major opus is still by far the most vibrant and scintillating available. Long may it be remain so ...

A good orchestral rendition of this work. Not spectacular, but definitely good.

I will not repeat the correct observations of others about this recording vis a vis being less than dynamic.

However, the amazon.com review that states this has rudimentary orchestration is completely wrong. This piece is totally inventive in its use of orchestral and choral forces throughout.

To counter some of the other reviewer's comments here, I have both the Slatkin/St Louis Symphony version and the Robert Shaw version and there's no comparison. The Slatkin version is ponderous and the audio is pure mud. The chorus and orchestra are mixed together in a mess of sound that makes hearing the words impossible. In addition, the orchestral bass notes are just a bunch of mush.

By comparison, the Shaw version is crystal clear with easily distinguished choral voices, bass notes and triangles/cymbols. The bass drum rattles your fillings and adds to the impact. I've sung this piece myself in the Kennedy Center (Wash DC) and find this version to be perfect in every way. The chorus is superb. Buy it.

When I heard the introduction of "O Fortuna" on the vinyl version of Sepultura's Morbid Visions album, dated 1986, I thought: Where to find this record, which orchestra and regent played this opus called Carmina Burana? There are several versions. I have one by Seiji Osawa, other by James Levini (in vinyl, with lyrics) and this by Robert Shaw that I consider the best!!!Through this site I could find it, just hearing the tracks! I must say: This version of Carmina Burana is the heaviest (due the tambour like a Thunder) and awesome of all time I have heard!!! It's simple and wonderful!!! This version have 4 long tracks. On a CD Player which displays the index, you can see the subtitles.
I ordered it in a classical music store.
I recommend it!!!...