Hello, everyone!My name is Shannon Draucker, and I'm the new Communications Intern for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. I am so excited to be here - meeting great people, listening to wonderful music, and learning a lot about the organization!
After I was hired, I immediately visited the ISO's website to peruse the program for this season. When I saw that the ISO, joined by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and Children's Choir, would be performing Carl Orff's masterwork Carmina Burana, I was ecstatic. It is a rare treat to be able to hear such an epic piece presented live.
When I expressed my excitement about Carmina Burana to my mother, she, a non-musician, just tilted her head and gave me a confused, "my-daughter's-a-total-classical-music-dork" look. "Carmina What-a?" she asked.
"You've heard this one before!" I exclaimed, opening my laptop and pulling up numerous YouTube links of commercials and movie trailers that featured the famous "O Fortuna" theme from Carmina Burana. As I showed my mom these clips, I pondered how the influence of Carmina Burana has extended beyond the orchestral realm. Orff's dramatic theme has the power to excite not only orchestra concert attendees, but also prospective buyers of products such as Old Spice cologne, York Peppermint Patties, and Reebok sneakers. "O Fortuna" also serves as the musical backdrop for climactic scenes in several hit movies, including "G-Force," "Cheaper by the Dozen," and "Excalibur." Classical music really does emerge everywhere in our lives!
Here are some of the ways in which Orff's masterwork has proliferated through pop culture (warning: you will be humming the "O Fortuna" theme for the rest of the day!):
An Old Spice cologne commercial
A York Peppermint Pattie commercial
A Polish commercial for Reebok sneakers
A climactic scene in Disney's "G-Force" (2009)
Watching these videos made me incredibly excited to hear Carmina Burana live! After seeing the widespread presence of this piece in the international media and film industries, I marveled at what a treat it will be to hear Orff's entire work performed right here in Indy on the stage of the Hilbert Circle Theater. I also can't wait to witness the energy and enthusiasm new Music Director Krzysztof Urbanski will bring to the stage in his last performance with the ISO until March! To hear Carmina Burana performed in its entirety by such a renowned orchestra will be a truly unparalleled experience.
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