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© Foto: Peter Keetman, COS/Archiv OZM, Carl Orff am Flügel in seinem Arbeitszimmer in Dießen, 1965

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The Life of Carl Orff

Carl Orff led a fascinating and multifaceted life. He was a composer and theatre maker, word creator and educator.

Orff was born on 10 July 1895 in Munich and grew up in an artistic family. His mother was a trained concert pianist who recognised and encouraged his musical talent and passion for theatre at an early age. At the age of five, Orff began taking piano lessons, followed two years later by cello lessons and his first attempts at playing the organ. These influences shaped Orff's creative thinking and his passion for music.

»I started school when I was six.
It didn't make much of an impression on me;
I found it boring.«

– Carl Orff –

© COS, Archiv:OZM, Carl Orff 1903 als Achtjähriger

schwarz-weiß Bild von Carl Orff, der mit dem Füller Noten schreibt und zu einer Person außerhalb des Bilds blickt

© COS/Archiv: OZM, Carl Orff arbeitet in der Günther-Schule am Boden liegend an einer Partitur

Together with Dorothee Günther, Orff founded the Günther School in 1924, a school for rhythm, gymnastics and dance. Its innovative pedagogical method of combining music and movement formed the basis for Orff's entire musical oeuvre. He developed the concept of the Orff Schulwerk, which is still used in music education worldwide today.

»The whole academy was
conservative and old-fashioned.«

– Carl Orff –

Orff, who had many interests, studied at the Academy of Music and the Munich Kammerspiele. However, he found his personal approach to music through self-study, interaction with his students, and experimentation with early music and unusual instruments.

»I wanted to know and learn everything
a playwright needs to understand.«

– Carl Orff –

With Carmina Burana, he finally found his distinctive style. It remains controversial to this day, but its success proves Orff right. The search for elemental music and a new form of theatre defined his artistic work throughout his life.
Despite his international success, Orff remained closely connected to his hometown of Munich and his last home in Dießen am Ammersee throughout his life.