Carmina Burana (arr Wanek)

Carl Orff

Subtitle: Cantiones Profanae: Five movements for ten wind players

General Info

Year: 1937 / 1981
Duration: c. 13:15
Original Medium: Orchestra and choir
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher Schott Music
Cost: Parts - $63.00 | Score - $28.00

Movements

1. Fortune plango vulnera - 1:00
2. In trutina - 2:10
3. Tanz - 1:55
4. Amor volat undique - 3:15
5. In taberna - 3:10

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute I-II (II doubling Piccolo)
Oboe I-II (II doubling English Horn)
Bassoon I-II (II doubling Contrabassoon)
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
Horn in F I-II

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

While the full cantata contains a sprawling 25 songs, this chamber arrangement selects five for this unique instrumentation. Notably absent is the iconic O Fortuna, well known for its frequent deployment in service of movie trailers and advertisements. These selections serve the small ensemble well, allowing for delicate solo instrumental play as well as still-powerful choral outbursts. Fortune plango vulnera features an obstinate first statement by the bassoon, followed by a quick ratcheting-up of intensity into a riotous crash landing.

In trutina is an incense-infused, heady love song delivered achingly by the English horn. Next is Tanz, a cheerfully off-kilter dance with a delightful moment of solo play between the flute and bassoon. A flighty, fragile number in Amor volat undique follows. Finally, the drunken, debauched In taberna finishes out the grouping with a shouted barnstormer.

- Program Note by Tyler J. Kimball

In this arrangement for ten wind players, Friedrich K. Wanek selects five movements that suit the unique instrumentation well. The arrangement strives to maintain the power of the original while allowing elegant solo performance. The first movement, Fortune plango vulnera (I bemoan the wounds of Fortune), begins with solo bassoon and quickly gains in intensity. In trutina (in balance) is a love song set with solo English horn. The cheerful dance is well crafted in the next movement, entitled Tanz (dance). Amor volat undique (love flies everywhere) is a delicate ode to love featuring a flute duet. Finally, In taberna (in the tavern) is a coarse drinking song that comes to a shouted conclusion. (JT Womack)

- Program Note by J.T. Womack for the University of Iowa Symphony Band concert program, 10 December 2020

Media

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Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Chamber Winds of the University of Minnesota Wind Band Conducting Workshop (Muhamad Yusri, conductor) - 15 July 2022
University of Indianapolis (Ind.) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Jon Noworyta, conductor) - 25 April 2021
University of Iowa (Iowa City) Symphony Band (J.T. Womack, conductor) - 10 December 2020
Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) Wind Ensemble (Joseph Missal, conductor) - 19 November 2020
Long Beach (Calif.) Chamber Winds (Tyler J. Kimball, conductor) - 6 December 2019

Works for Winds by This Composer

Carmina Burana (arr. Krance) (1937/1967)
Carmina Burana (arr. Mas Quiles) (1937/1994)
Carmina Burana (arr. Moerenhout) (1937/1958)
Carmina Burana (arr. Wanek) (1937/1981)
Catulli Carmina (arr. Duker)
De Temporum Fine Comoedia (1971-1979)
Drei Tänze aus "Der Mond" (arr. Wanek) (1939/1986)
Dulcissime
Entrata (arr. Duker) (1928/1940/1954)
Four Burlesque Scenes (arr. Regner) (1938/1997)
Kleines Konzert (1927)
Prometheus (1963-1967)
Stetit Puella
Szene der Drei Strolche aus "Die Kluge" (arr. Wanek) (1943/1990)
Three Dances from "Der Mond". See: Drei Tänze aus "Der Mond"

Resources

Miles, Richard B., and Larry Blocher. (2010). Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 1. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 915-925.
Orff, C.; Wanek, F. (1981). Carmina burana : Cantiones Profanae : Five movements for ten wind players [score]. Schott: Mainz.