Dr. Colin Eatock, composer
  • Home
  • About Colin Eatock
  • Composing
  • Catalogue of works
  • Writing about music
  • Eatock Daily (blog)
  • New and upcoming
  • Contact me

My Favourite Music Video of 2012

12/31/2012

2 Comments

 
Picture
Carl Orff, taking himself very seriously.
I’m finishing the year with my nomination for the most entertaining classical music video that came my way in 2012. To be honest, I don’t how I first saw it. Did someone send me a link? Or post it on Facebook? Or did I find it on one of my random surfing expeditions? I can’t quite recall.

In any event, my nomination is a delightful mis-rendering of the text of “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. (It’s by someone called “Famished Mammal” – a name that I strongly suspect is fictitious.) As it turns out, there are quite a few of these “O Fortuna” videos on YouTube: it’s a thriving little sub-genre. But as good luck would have it, I first came upon the one I think is the best. I’ve posted it below.


So what’s so hilariously clever about this video clip? Sure, it’s bizarre and goofy from end to end. But there’s more to it than that.

It’s irreverent, in the best sense of the word. It pokes fun at the urgent tone and grandiose seriousness of the piece. And it also exposes the piece as “sentimental.” That might seem like a strange word to describe Carmina Burana – but Mr./Ms. Mammal shows us that it fits James Joyce’s definition of the word: full of  “unearned emotion.” Orff thrusts us directly into a high drama without any kind of musical explanation or argument as to why we are there. He has written music that self-consciously strives to be “important” simply by insisting on its own importance.

Furthermore, this video also skewers the audience – reminding us that however often we’ve heard this piece, we probably don’t really know what the Latin lyrics actually mean. For most listeners, the words could mean anything.

All of this is fertile ground for Famished Mammal, and the others who have had a little fun at the expense of Carmina Burana. By reducing the piece to utter nonsense, FM delivers a sucker-punch of music criticism: striking at something that looks imposing and powerful, but which is really quite vulnerable.

By the way, I still like Carmina Burana (in moderation). But thanks to FM,  I’ll never listen to it again without a smile.


© Colin Eatock 2012
2 Comments
blackjack link
7/12/2013 12:32:37 am

Thank you Eatock for this video link. “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.I've also made a research and there are quite a few of these “O Fortuna” videos on YouTube. i fully agree with your approach that it is hriving little sub-genre. It really inspires! We are greatful to you for sharing it with us.

Reply
agree with link
10/20/2013 10:02:15 pm


I am sure this post has touched all the internet viewers, its really really fastidious paragraph on building up new webpage.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Eatock Daily

    I'm a composer based in Toronto – and this is my classical music blog, Eatock Daily.

    When I first started blogging, Eatock Daily was a place to re-post the articles I wrote for Toronto’s Globe and Mail and National Post newspapers, the Houston Chronicle, the Kansas City Star and other publications.

    But now I have stepped back from professional music journalism, and I'm spending more time composing.

    These days, my blog posts are infrequent, and are mostly concerned with my own music. However, I do still occasionally post comments on musical topics, including works I've discovered, enjoyed, and wish to share with others.


    – CE

    Archives

    March 2022
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    September 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011

    Index

    Click here for an alphabetical list of blog entries.

    RSS Feed

    Follow colineatock on Twitter
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.