Carmina Burana

Carmina Burana is a cantata that was composed by Carl Orff in 1935. It is based on a series of 25 poems in Latin. So brush up, all you Latin buffs out there, this piece is filled with that cryptic, ancient language. The most recognizable movement within the piece is "Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi" ("O Fortuna") which begins and ends the work. Knowledge of Latin isn't required to enjoy this cantata, because the lush instrumentals are more than able to communicate the overall tones, feelings and messages of the piece quite well.