Art of epic proportions is happening. How else can one describe the enormity of a full orchestra, a 100-plus person choral ensemble and two pianos reliving what The New York Times calls "one of music's most resilient creatures?" The Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra, in collaboration with the Brandeis University Chorus, the Wellesley College Chorus and guest children's chorus Youth Pro Musica, filled the Levin Ballroom with Carl Orff's Carmina Burana Saturday, April 25. The concert was a part of the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts and featured soloists Andrea Matthews, soprano, Mark Kagan (MUS), tenor, and David Ripley, bass-baritone.

Carmina Burana was written by German composer Carl Orff, who based the cantata's lyrics on a collection of 13th-century Bavarian poems of the same name. Although originally regarded as degenerate by the Nazi Party, the piece was eventually embraced in Germany and proceeded to gain worldwide fame after World War II. Now, "O Fortuna," which begins and ends the piece, is ubiquitous in everyday life. The chilling hymn is the theme for Old Spice and Gatorade commercials, countless movie trailers and New England Patriots games.

"It was an honor being a part of one of the most recognizable pieces in music," noted Josh Goldman '11, a percussionist in the orchestra.

In between "O Fortuna" are three movements depicting dancing, drinking and sex. Many of its lyrics are quite lurid, such as the line "Come, come, my beloved/ I am awaiting you with desire." It's surprising that medieval monks wrote this and not college students.

Throngs of listeners came to hear Orff's masterpiece brought to life last Saturday, completely filling up Levin Ballroom 15 minutes before the performance.

Before the concert, esteemed composer and professor Marty Boykan (MUS) was presented with the Distinguished Arts Faculty Award. Boykan, who has taught at Brandeis since 1957, was awarded for his work in the Ph.D. program for music composition and his overall contribution to Brandeis.

The concert quickly followed, and from the first majestic chord of "O Fortuna," I knew this was the most impressive musical performance at Brandeis this year.

"What's wonderful is that you get a certain energy with college students you don't see in professionals," commented Kagan, who had performed Carmina Burana multiple times before with groups such as the Boston Ballet. "This is a tremendously difficult piece. Orff puts every voice at their edge, but the students really wanted to do it. Even faced with funding problems since last spring when we first began planning, everyone still pulled together."

Despite recent budget cuts, Carmina Burana's production continued with the help of Music Dept. Concert Coordinator Shawna Kelley and Office of the Arts' Director Scott Edmiston and Program Administrator Ingrid Schorr.

"Organizing everything took a lot of collaboration with the two choral directors: Lisa Graham at Wellesley and our own Sarah Mead (MUS)," said Neal Hampton (MUS), conductor of the Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra. "Since the choruses rehearsed separately, we had to agree in advance on musical issues such as tempo and what kind of Latin-German or Italianate-we were going to use."

That's why Carmina Burana was such an impressive project. The ensembles consisted of nearly 200 members in total, bringing together musicians of diverse background and age.

For example, the solo bassoonist was Isabelle Plaster, who had just retired two years ago from teaching at Wellesley College and now enjoys playing with some of her former students. "I'm amazed it all came together in such a short time, and I love keeping in touch with my students," she said.

Youth Pro Musica, a children's choir directed by Peter Krasinski, brought singers as young as eight years old to perform with the college groups. "I think it's great for kids to be a part of this big, beautiful machine," said Krasinski, who got in touch with Neal Hampton through a mutual conductor friend. "And I loved seeing so many people get together for one purpose," he said, praising the ensemble's diversity.

There was even collaboration between the Music and Classical Studies departments, as noted by chair Prof. Ann O. Koloski-Ostrow (CLAS). As an assignment in Latin 125, students translated many of the Latin poems of Carmina Burana. Classical Studies UDR Lee Marmor '10, whose translations appear in the program, was excited to attend the concert.

The performance of Carmina Burana was not only an astounding musical endeavor but one that showcased an immense amount of teamwork. At the end of the piece, the performers were treated to cheers and an extended standing ovation by the audience.

It was definitely one of the finest elements of the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts.

"The chorus, orchestra and soloists all sound great," said Hampton. "It's been an honor to lead them.