Carl Orff – O Fortuna

Keywords List

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Summary

• "O Fortuna" is the first and most well-known movement of Carl Orff's cantata "Carmina Burana." Carl Orff produced the theatrical cantata "Carmina Burana" in 1935-1936, based on a collection of mediaeval poetry written by various authors.

• The dramatic and powerful choral section "O Fortuna" sets the tone for the entire composition.

• The words to "O Fortuna" are in Latin and are taken from the "Carmina Burana" collection, specifically from a composition titled "Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi" (Fortune, Empress of the World).

• The text is about the unpredictable character of fortune and fate's fickle hand.

• It depicts themes of chance, fate, and the ever-revolving wheel of fortune, which can bring both good and bad circumstances.