Search - Harve Presnell, Carl Orff, Eugene Ormandy :: Carl Orff: Carmina Burana

Ormandy commands this Carmina Burana

bigmikedc | Sugar Hill, GA United States | 05/14/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have listened to so many versions of Carmina Burana and I have two different ones that I now own. I've come to the assumption that you can not find a definitve version of Carmina Burana. If only you could combine elements from all of your favorite versions of this most infamous piece. Oh well, with Ormandy's version I can say that you'll have an accurate version of Carmina Burana. Actually, this is perhaps as accurate a version of Orff's masterpiece as you're likely to find. Down to every note it shines in accuracy. Please forgive the fact that this recording of Carmina Burana is a 1960 one as it still has a great sound even with the slight hissing you're likely to notice from time to time. Get this if you're simply looking for accuracy. However, if you're looking for the big bang to impress your friends with then perhaps you'll want to look elsewhere."

Good ol' Eugene Ormandy...

The Sanity Inspector | USA | 02/16/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I give this work fewer stars than I gave the Previn version, but I actually like it more. The 1960 recorded sound is still good, unless you've been spoiled by close miking. The boys choir is a little distant and thin, though. The Philadelphia strings don't have a lot of opportunity to shine in this vocal work, though they are as fine as ever when they do take center stage. And Ormandy's conducting and the PO's ensemble playing of the most familiar segment, the "Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi" just plain rocks--it is thrilling and satisfying, a tornado of pagan bombast. Ormandy's version is a solid second choice for this work."

Terrible Sound Quality!

Frederick Baptist | Singapore | 06/08/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I'm seriously beginning to doubt that any good version of "Carmina Burana" exists on disc today. I've heard a few versions and all of them sound terrible. Low volume levels and terrible sound quality means that we can only hope and pray that Sony gets its act together and remaster the entire "Great Performances" catalog very soon. Not recommended!"