Since the beginning of time man has celebrated summer. In pre-historic times, the Summer Solstice was significantly a time when the snow disappeared and the ground thawed, bringing warmer temperatures, flowers, herbs and food for harvest.
Certainly it was a time for much rejoicing and ritual that had been lost and NOW is again,found in the revival of today's, Solstice Festivals.
To understand our involvement in the musical solstice of song, it is imperative that we think about some of our archaic beginnings.
It was during the medieval upheaval that, the monastic manuscripts of the " Carmina Burana ", were discovered.
If you have not experienced this demonstrative musical collection, I highly recommend that you consider purchasing a " Carmina Burana " recording.
My favorite is an EMI Classics Cd, featuring Natalie Dessay, Thomas Hampson and Gerard Lesne.
Conductor, Michel Plasson and the Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse have created an stunning aura of sound that positively compliments the genius of Composer, Carl Orff's compositions.
The Latin texts are filled with attitude, in any centuries terms, REAL ATTITUDE, conveyed by seemingly, defrocked monks, vagrant students, minor clerics and minstrels.
They, eagerly recorded, dilequent behavior and drinking habits, sex and gambling.
These wild, 10th century, medieval, love lyrics, notorious hymns and " confessions of sinners", make up the bulk, of what is today one of the most famous musical compositions in the world, .(http://members.ozemail.com.au/~caveman/C...
The chaotic substance of the Latin monastic drinking songs, seem to have provided Composer, Carl Orff, with a priviledged emotional vision, that created an unrivaled masterpiece in music, religion and ancient mayhem.
The" Carmina Burana ",is the ultimate marriage of wine and song.
It is the most performed concert works of this century and is often used in commercials and films such as the medieval epic, " Excalibur ".
Orff's music is mesmerizing and at times so vaporously beautiful, ... " In Trutina ", comes from a song-cycle and explains, " My feelings are in turmoil, lascivious love against chastity, But I choose what I see and submit the yoke".
The preserved writing continue to be the subject of much debate and research. At any rate, little is known about the original scripts, but, Carl Orff's , twentieth century compositions fit magnificently into the spiritual body and realm of the primordial solstice.
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