Carmina Burana vs. Pictures At An Exhibition

681 Words2 Pages

Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” and Modeste Moussorgsky’s “Pictures At An Exhibition” which was orchestrated by Maurice Ravel are both two incredibly composed pieces of music. However, the two pieces have their differences as well as similarities. Although these beautiful pieces are similar because of the effort to represent works of art, “Carmina Burana” and “Pictures At An Exhibition” are different because of the background of the composers, the instruments used, and the influences that led Carl Orff and Modeste Moussorgsky to create these epic works of art.
“Carmina Burana” and “Pictures At An Exhibition” are two wonderfully composed pieces of music, but the actual composers were very different. Carl Orff was born on July 10, 1895 in Munich, Germany. Orff began learning to play the piano at the age of five and soon realized he wanted to become a composer more than he wanted to perform. Orff is most widely known for the composition of “Carmina Burana” which was very popular within Nazi parties and camps. In contrast, the composer of “Pictures At An Exhibition” is Modeste Moussorgsky who was born just south of St. Petersburg on March 21, 1839. When Moussorgsky was introduced to Alexander Dargomyzhsky, a very important Russian composer, Moussorgsky began his professional music career. “Pictures At An Exhibition” is one of Moussorgsky’s most imaginative and creative pieces. The backgrounds of Carl Orff and Modeste Moussorgsky is useful knowledge when comparing some of their most popular works of music. Both composers are similar when it comes to structure and imagination, but different when you explore their early life and influences in the music world.
Another comparison between Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” and Modeste Moussorgsky...

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... of art are the “The Gnome”, “The Old Castle”, “Tuileries”, and “Cattle”. When listening to “Pictures At An Exhibition”, one can clearly understand the transitions of the paintings and the feelings that Moussorgsky felt when witnessing the artwork. Both Carl Orff and Modeste Moussorgsky were influenced by pieces of artwork whether it be poems or paintings and drawings. This influence between both composers is seen clearly in both pieces of music.
Ultimately, it is apparent that Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” and Modeste Moussorgsky’s “Pictures At An Exhibition” share similarities such as the instruments used and influences, yet share differences like the background of the composers and time these pieces were composed. “Carmina Burana” and “Pictures At An Exhibition” are both beautifully composed works and will continue to intrigue the mind of all who listen to them.

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