This preview has been provided by Hickory Choral Society.
Spring Concert
Sunday, April 10, 3 pm
First Baptist Church, Hickory
Hickory Choral Society closes its 38th season with a work which is one of the most frequently performed choral works of the 21st century. CARMINA BURANA by Carl Orff was made popular by the memorable surfing advertisement for Old Spice aftershave. Today, the opening theme is heard across collegiate football games as well as opening music for other events, even NASCAR events. This spring concert is sponsored by Corning Optical Communications.
“Carmina “means “songs” while “Beuren” is Latin for the Benedictine monastery in Bavaria. “Songs of Beuren” is a reference to a collection of early 13th century songs and poems discovered in that southern German town in 1803. They were written by students and clergy and appear to be the work of Goliards, a group of clergy who wrote bibulous, satirical Latin poetry. The songs were an obvious satire on the Catholic Church.
CARMINA BURANA is divided into three sections—Springtime, In the Tavern, and The Court of Love. Orff chose twenty-four songs and set them to music in what he termed a scenic cantata. In the parody world, the rules of priesthood include sleeping late, eating heavy food, drinking rich wine and regularly playing dice games. There are also very strong innuendos of attraction to the opposite sex.
This flamboyant work includes a full orchestra with six percussionist, three soloists and chorus. It clearly is a fitting conclusion to the 38th season of the Hickory Choral Society. This is an afternoon not to be missed.
