Composer

:

Carl Orff

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1932

Average_duration

:

13:21

"Sunt lacrimae rerum" is a choral work composed by Carl Orff in 1956. The piece was premiered on June 29, 1956, in Munich, Germany, by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. The title translates to "There are tears in things" and is taken from a line in Virgil's Aeneid. The work is divided into five movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, "O Fortuna," is perhaps the most well-known and features a powerful choral opening that has been used in numerous films and television shows. The second movement, "Fortune plango vulnera," is a solo for a male voice that is accompanied by a chorus. The third movement, "Veris leta facies," is a joyful celebration of spring and features a solo for a female voice. The fourth movement, "Omnia sol temperat," is a contemplative piece that reflects on the transience of life. The final movement, "Ecce gratum," is a lively dance that celebrates the joys of life. Orff's use of medieval and Renaissance texts and musical styles is a defining characteristic of "Sunt lacrimae rerum." The work is also notable for its use of a large orchestra and chorus, as well as its incorporation of percussion instruments such as timpani, xylophone, and glockenspiel. The music is often rhythmic and repetitive, with a focus on the interplay between the different sections of the orchestra and chorus. Overall, "Sunt lacrimae rerum" is a powerful and emotional work that reflects on the human experience and the cyclical nature of life. Its use of ancient texts and musical styles, combined with Orff's unique approach to composition, has made it a beloved and enduring piece of classical music.

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