Born:
July 10, 1895
Birthplace:
Munich, Germany
Died:
March 29, 1982 in Munich
Also Known As:
Carl Orff was a German composer, conductor and teacher primarily known for his contributions to music education. He developed a system of teaching children about music through group exercises and the use of percussion instruments to help develop a sense of rhythm.
Type of Compositions:
Orff also wrote dramatic choral works and operas.
Influence:
He studied at the Munich Academy of Music, and in 1920, studied under Heinrich Kaminski.
Notable Works:
His most famous work is the oratorio "Carmina Burana" (1937), his "Catulli carmina" (1943) and "Trionfo di Afrodite" (1953), completes this trilogy. Other works include "Der Mond" (1939), "Die Kluge" (1943), "Die Bernauerin" (1947), "Antigonae" (1949), "Astutuli" (1953), "Comoedia de Christi Resurrectione" (a cantata, 1956), "Ludus de nato infante mirificus" (a play, 1960), "Oedipus der Tyrann" (1959), "Ein Sommernachtstraum" (1964), "Prometheus" (1966) and "De temporum fine comoedia" (1973).
Interesting Fact:
In 1930, Orff published a manual titled Schulwerk, where he shares his method of conducting. Prior to writing "Carmina Burana," Orff edited 17th century operas. He founded a school for gymnastics with Dorothee Günther in 1924.
Orff Method:
The Orff Method or Orff Approach is a way of teaching children about music that engages their mind and body through a mixture of singing, dancing, acting and the use of percussion instruments (xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels). Lessons are presented with an element of "play" helping the children learn at their own level of understanding. More information on the Orff Method here.