Carl Orff - Carmina Burana (Jader Bignamini)

Information

Composer: Carl Orff

• Carmina Burana

Chen Reiss, soprano

Reginald Mobley, countertenor

Andrzej Filończyk, baritone

Audivi

Detroit Opera Youth Chorus

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Jader Bignamini, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Pentatone

_____________________

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Jader Bignamini present a monumental recording of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Sourced from thirteenth-century manuscripts, the scenic cantata transforms the secular texts of wandering scholars into a powerful musical experience defined by elemental rhythms and striking orchestration. The performance navigates contrasting themes of humor, erotic longing, and fate, bookended by the iconic "O Fortuna." Orff’s score balances diatonic simplicity with driving rhythmic ostinati, featuring standout percussion, piano, and vocal solos that evoke raw, primal energy. This PENTATONE release further solidifies the ensemble's mastery of landmark twentieth-century repertoire.

Born in Crema, Italy, in 1976, Jader Bignamini is an accomplished conductor and clarinetist who currently serves as Music Director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He formally studied clarinet at the Conservatorio Nicolini Piacenza and initially joined the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi (La Verdi). Developing a passion for conducting under the mentorship of Riccardo Chailly, Bignamini rose through the ranks to become La Verdi's resident conductor. Following highly acclaimed guest appearances in North America, including his 2018 debut with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, he was appointed its music director in 2020. His contract has since been extended through the 2030–2031 season.

High Resolution 24-bit / 192 kHz