Carl Orff

Carl Heinrich Maria Orff was a German composer and music educator, best known for his cantata Carmina Burana (1937). Born in Munich on July 10, 1895, Orff was immersed in a musical environment from an early age, learning piano, cello, and organ. His education and early works were within the German tradition, but his later music integrated ideas from his intense interest in early music and various theatrical influences. Orff's concepts for music education were groundbreaking and formed the basis of his Schulwerk, which has had a lasting impact on teaching music to children. He died on March 29, 1982.