A fascinating performance of a rarely performed work
R. Bragner | Turkey | 02/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"So far as I know, this is the only complete recording of Orff's "Triptych" of secular cantatas for chorus and orchestra--Carmina Burana, Catulli Carmina, and Trionfi di Afrodite. The last is a rather mysterious work because it's hardly ever performed in concert or recorded. Listening to this recording, you can understand why: it seems sparer and even more inaccessible than "Catulli", which it otherwise resembles to a considerable degree. That was my first and immediate reaction when I listened to the "Afrodite" tracks on this double CD. As the piece progressed however, parts of it began to grow on me, as did the realization that I would have to come back to explore this orphaned work in greater depth.Smetacek conducting the Prague and Czech philharmonics and the Czech Philharmonic Chorus does an admirable job. His "Carmina Burana" is rich without being overblown. Throughout, the sound is crisp and clean.I had to wait nearly two weeks while Amazon tracked this recording down for me. It seems that it's hard to come by. If you're interested in Orff's work and haven't heard "Trionfi" I think you're missing a lot. Get a copy of this recording while it's still available.Bob --- Kanyak's Doghouse ..."
Track Listings (26) - Disc #1