Radio Eclectus #59: Carmina Burana through the Ages (Aug. 27, 2020)

A fond look at the decadent Medieval poems of sex, gluttony and gambling that inspired Carl Orff’s famous cantata. In the first 1½ hours we explore the original songs as they might have been played by their authors: the 12th century German hippies known as the Goliards, wandering renegade clerics quite unlike their pious contemporary, Hildegard. We’ll marvel at how modern these ancient tunes sound as reanimated by the leading lights of the early music revival: Thomas Binkley, Millenarium, Capella de Ministrers, Modo Antiquo, Artefactum, La Reverdie, Ensemble Unicorn, Ensemble Oni Wytars, New London Consort, and the great Clemencic Consort, whose concept of lively authenticity set the bar for brilliant interpretations of this archaic repertory.

Then we’ll hear from Orff himself, followed by some latter-day remixes at the hands of The Residents’ Hardy Fox and The Doors’ Ray Manzarek. Join us for this special edition of Radio Eclectus!

Photo Credits and annotated playlist in Comments.