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Culture December 1, 2016
“Carmina Burana” is the music you’ve heard, but probably couldn’t name. Composed by Carl Orff, this cantata is set to an epic ensemble of twenty-five Latin poems. Each small poem focuses on different topics like sex, love, flirtation and of course, the all too cruel and heartless fate, who has her way with innocent people and leaves them in misery and ruin.
Besides the impressive force of the music (compliments of multiple choirs and a full-sized orchestra) the lyrics of this piece seem to perfectly capture human emotions. Everybody has those days when nothing is going right. It seems as if our fate was decided for us long before we could do anything about it and we are powerless to change it.
Here are some lyrical gems from the piece that will capture all your frustrations in an eloquent bubble of creativity and angst.
“O Fortune/Like the moon/You are changeable/ever waxing/and waning/… poverty/and power/it melts them like ice.”
This tidbit is the first stanza of the piece. An apt introduction to the topic that will be addressed for the next two hours, these lyrics express the of frustration of a life that isn’t predictable. No matter how much money you make or how much power you gain, there is still a chance you will fall.
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“They glory/and rejoice/in honeyed sweetness/who strive/ to make use of/Cupid’s prize/At Venus’ command/let us glory/and rejoice.”
Around this point, the music lightens and the tone becomes more pleasant. The combination of orchestra and choir uses the sweet spring scenes of nature to bring the listener back from despair.
“The noble woods are burgeoning/with flowers and leaves,/Where is the lover/I knew? Ah!/He has ridden off!/Oh! Who will love me? Ah!”
As these lyrics point out, it is hard to be a good person when Fate cares little for your desires. You are alone in the springtime, the time of bright happy love.
“Once I lived on lakes/once I looked beautiful/when I was a swan/Misery me!/Now black/and roasting fiercely!/The servant is turning me on the spit/… Now I lie on a plate/and cannot fly anymore/I see bared teeth.”
The swan song is perhaps the most captivating parts of this piece with its distinctive, harsh imagery and gorgeous harmonies.
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The next time you feel alone in your suffering, listen to the fluctuating lyrics of this beautiful piece. It will only endear you to the countless connections you can make through emotions and the power of song.
