If it were not for “Carmina Burana,” German composer Carl Orff probably would be little more than a footnote in musical history.
Instead, the ever-popular and arguably over-performed choral extravaganza, which debuted in 1937, has assured him a kind of immortality.
The Colorado Symphony, Colorado Symphony Chorus and Colorado Children’s Chorus joined forces Friday evening for a presentation of the massive work that was first-rate in every way.
Key factors to a successful performance of “Carmina Burana” include realizing the visceral, concentrated ferocity of the familiar “O Fortuna” and the contrasting diversity of emotions and textures that characterize the other 23 sections.
Conductor Duain Wolfe, the symphony’s veteran chorus director, achieved both brilliantly, while maintaining an unflagging level of energy throughout and exercising meticulous control over the all-important dynamics.
Helping to raise this interpretation well above the norm were uncommonly fine performances by the three soloists, including tenor Christopher Pfund and soprano Joanna Mongiardo, who delivered a lovely version of “In trutina.”
Deserving special note was baritone Robert Orth, who will appear in several weeks as Richard Nixon in Opera Colorado’s production of “Nixon in China.” He is a more accomplished soloist than usual for such a concert, and it showed.
Orth made full use of his agile yet full-bodied voice, delivering a highly effective, wonderfully multifaceted performance, ranging from his surprisingly airy take on “Omnia soltemperat” to a dramatic version of “Estuans interius” that was nothing short of thrilling.
To open the program, Wolfe chose an ideally complementary work in virtually every way — mood, length and even subject matter. A choral setting of a poem by Friedrich Hölderlin, Johannes Brahms’ “Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny),” Op. 54, presents an alternative take on fate and fortune.
The orchestra and chorus offered a nuanced version of this comparably short work, conveying the contemplative, sometimes hushed feel of the first part and dramatically powering up for the strident, musicular portion devoted to the plight of humanity.
The concert will be repeated at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
