Carl Orff (1895–1982) was a German composer and music educator whose name is inseparably tied to one grand score. His creative style is marked by a powerful rhythmic drive, simplicity of melody, and an archaic, “primal” force of sound.
Worldwide fame came to him from the scenic cantata “Carmina Burana” (1937), set to the texts of medieval goliards. Its majestic opening chorus “O Fortuna” became one of the most recognisable fragments of classical music, heard constantly in films and advertising. No less important is Orff's contribution to pedagogy: the “Orff Schulwerk” system he developed teaches children music through rhythm, movement, singing, and playing simple percussion instruments, and is used in schools around the world.
