I know why I'm not supposed to like it. The critics hate it and audiences love it. There's everything but the kitchen sink in it. It's mostly in a language that nobody speaks. The composer has apparently never heard of subtlety. He had political problems of the worst kind -- deserved and self-inflicted. But when a performance of Carmina Burana comes together -- like it did last night at the Kennedy Center, with Leonard Slatkin conducting the Washington Choral Arts Society chorus and orchestra -- there is no denying the attraction of this totally over-the-top extravaganza. Catchy tune after catchy tune, a variety of soundscapes, solo opportunities, pathos, drama -- make that melodrama -- and the occasional bit of humor all combine to make this a head-shaking one of a kind spectacular. This was the first time I had heard any of Carmina besides the famous opening (and concluding) theme, the sound track to countless commercials and voiceovers. It's not a piece I'll be going back to often; after all, I'm not sure my sound system is up to it. But I was glad to have finally heard the thing. Leonard Slatkin was completely into it and the Kennedy Center Concert Hall was sold out. The people loved it -- again. Mitch Friedfeld