“O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana
Use the embedded audio, video, and interactive sheet music on this page to teach, sing, and play “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana. Then, use the classroom activities to explore how the orchestra rocks through this piece.
Student Participation: Basic Recorder, Singing
Recorder Notes Needed:
Basic Recorder: D, E, F, G, A
Language: Latin
National Standards: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Jump to section:
Interactive Sheet Music
O Fortuna
O Fortuna
velut luna
statu variabilis,
semper crescis
aut decrescis;
vita detestabilis,
nunc obdurat
et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem,
egestatem,
potestatem
dissolvit ut glaciem.
O Fortune
O Fortune,
like the moon
you are changeable,
ever waxing
and waning;
hateful life
first oppresses
and then soothes
as fancy takes it;
poverty
and power
it melts them like ice.
Classroom Activities
Learn fundamental concepts of music and engage in creative activities through a deeper exploration of the ideas and themes of the Link Up repertoire.
Experience the Impact of Tempo
Use movement and classroom instruments to explore how a change in tempo affects a piece of music.
Explore Movement in Music that Rocks
Use video to reflect on the movements that go with different kinds of music, and invite students to create their own movements.
Explore Lyrics and Music in “O Fortuna”
Explore the text and music of “O Fortuna” and compose a new class song based on an existing poem.
