I recently purchased a CD of Orpheus by Carl Orff (Pilz Acanta 44 2089-2).

The booklet tells us that only three works by Orff prior to Carima Burana
survive.  These are a trilogy of reworkings of Monterverdi masterpieces.

Apparently in 1923 Orff produced a performance of Orpheus using the
original orchestration and where possible original instruments.  This
bombed with the public who were not used to the authentic sound.  In
addition the orchestra had problems with the required playing techniques.

Orff's solution was to rescore the work for modern instruments.  He also
used a slight enlarged orchestra with 2 basset horns, 2 harps!  and 3
double-strung lutes.  Even weirder, he rewrote the text in German as well.

My own feeling is, although Orff has made a good job of it, give me
authentic Monteverdi any day.  I wish Orff had put his undoubted talents
to a better, more original use.

You might also be tempted by another disc in the Acanta Orff series, the
2 cd set of Orff's Prometheus.  What you'd get here is a work that's a
bit like a recorded version of the stage show "Stomp" (where the cast
walk around bashing dustbin lids) with intermitent German narration.

Makes Penderecki and Stockhausen seem entertaining!

Bob Draper
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