This past weekend I had the privilege and luck to finish my orchestral season with Carmina Burana. Though the name might not be rescognizable, the first movement is popular and iconic.. It’s been featured in 40+ films, commercials, cartoons, and generated parodies. As the conductor mentioned in his opening remarks, it’s created a “music of doom” movement.
The other opening remarks encouraged us to appreciate listening to live music. Another powerful reminder was to enjoy being part of something larger than ourselves. These words resonated strongly with me. I was sitting in the stage area, one of over 200 performers. The choir alone numbered around 160. In the orchestra extra players squeezed in where they could fit to play all the parts. We didn’t have a lot of space, but it hardly mattered. It’s rare to have the opportunity to play in such a big work, given the amount of preparation time and coordination required. Each of us individually made the commitment to ourselves and everyone else to play our part to recreate this momentus work.
I didn’t know much about Carmina Burana when I agreed to the concert. However, I looked it up. I felt delighted to learn that old medieval texts inspired the music. To me this represented the magic of music and aligned with the piece itself. Carmina Burana repurposed these ancient texts into something mesmerizing and captivating. In turn, many others recreate Carmina Burana into other works with new interpretations and meanings. Thus giving new life repeatedly to more than one incredible piece.
I have to confess, I did experience a bit of fatigue towards the end of the piece. It runs slightly over an hour and it was the second half of the program. This is mostly because I don’t play for 5 movements and my brain starts to feel tired from all the counting and focusing. However, I perked up in the last two movements. The main theme comes roaring back with a resurgence of energy. The movements pass quickly and you can feel the full spirit, intensity, focus, and effort from all 200+ people. We’re all centered on the same outcome. I remember feeling a charge and elation from the last few minutes of the piece. As the audience cheered, I stood up with everyone else, grinning, despite my tired mouth, and experienced for a brief moment a sensation larger than life.