Carl Orff Quotes

Germany, Composer
July 10, 1895 – March, 29, 1982.

Carl Heinrich Maria Orff (German: [ˈkaɐ̯l ˈɔɐ̯f]; (1895-07-10)10 July 1895 – (1982-03-29)29 March 1982) was a German composer, best known for his cantata Carmina Burana (1937). In addition to his career as a composer, Orff developed an influential approach toward music education for children.

Also known as Musicologist, Music Educator, University Teacher, Writer

Tell me, I forget, show me, I remember, involve me, I understand.

Carl Orff
- Remember
- Me
- Understand
Since the beginning of time, children have not liked to study. They would much rather play, and if you have their interests at heart, you will let them learn while they play; they will find that what they have mastered is child's play.

Carl Orff
- Time
- Children
- Heart

Experience first, then intellectualize.

Carl Orff
- Experience
I am often asked why I nearly always select old material, fairy tales and legends for my stage works. I do not look upon them as old, but rather as valid material. The time element disappears, and only the spiritual power remains. My entire interest is in the expression of spiritual realities. I write for the theater in order to convey a spiritual attitude.

Carl Orff
- Time
- Why
- Power
Elemental Music is never just music. It's bound up with movement, dance and speech, and so it is a form of music in which one must participate, in which one is involved not as a listener bust as a co-performer.

Carl Orff
- Music
- Movement
- Form
With Carmina Burana, my collected works begin.

Carl Orff
- Works
The subject matter covered in Carmina stays pretty basic: love, lust, the pleasures of drinking and the heightened moods evoked by springtime. These primitive and persistently relevant themes are nicely camouflaged by the Latin and old German texts, so the listener can actually feign ignorance while listening to virtually X-rated lyrics. (Veni Veni Venias! Come, come come now!)The music itself toggles between huge forces and a single voice, juxtaposing majesty and intimacy with ease.

Carl Orff
- Listening
- Ignorance
- Mood