Customer Reviews

Carl Orff: Prometheus

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This is by far and wide one of the greatest masterpieces of the 20th Century, and the greatest Masterpiece of Carl Orff.

Why has this operatic/cantatic work been deglected!??

To start, the play is based on Aeschylus's "Prometheus Bound" it is spoken and sung COMPLETE in the ORIGINAL ANCIENT GREEK! Which not only facinates but also inspires us to great heights of knowledge and understanding of the Ancient Greek world!

We do not know how Ancient Greek was spoken or sung, so Carl Orff's imagination has free reign in his creation.

I do feel that whenever I listen to this Magisterial and Apocalyptic work that I am getting ever closer to Ancient Greek Drama (which in my opinion were operas).

The music Orff has devised for Prometheus is potent, simple, clear, intense, and sparse, with emphasis on the dramatic impact rather than continuous melodious music (ie: Wagner/Strauss/Puccini). He gives the actors more of the "music" than he gives the orchestra.

You get the feeling that what Orff gives us could have actually been taking place back in ancient times. Although the soundscape of the work is modern it magically has an aura of ancient music at the same time!

Carl Orff was present in the studio sessions with Ferdinand Leitner during the recording, and was made after it's stage premiere with the same conductor and cast.

This edition comes with a translated libretto (in English only).

An amazing work for all lovers of Orff, Aeschylus, and students of Ancient Greek language! I would suggest to get a copy before they discontinue it!

I agree with almost everything Mr. Kouroukis says in his review. However, he does not mention the sheer tour-de-force by Roland Hermann in the title role. A studio recording is one thing, but I just cannot imagine how this incredibly expressive artiste managed to sustain the lion's share of the opera on stage, without rest, and secured to a rock!!

I loved hearing the work in Greek - yes, it's probably the nearest thing we will get to the original. The supplied English translation is O.K. but rather elderly (thee, thou, presenteth...etc) so I invested in a modern translation, which will enhance your enjoyment of this marvellous work.

I think Antigone is the most approachable of Orff's Greek tragedy operas,Oedipus perhaps the most demanding, and Prometheus possibly the most rewarding...get all three!!!!