I would hate for any singers or listeners to experience this great masterpiece as just a succession of nonsensical syllables set to music. There is so much more enjoyment to be had when you understand the words, and so I set out to write a set of commentaries to accomplish that goal. After an overall introduction there’s an individual essay for each section. My hope is that the voices and personalities of the lyrics will come alive for you so that you experience the huge range of emotions contained in these pieces. Even though the original authors lived many hundreds of years ago, we can identify with them if we understand what they’re actually saying. From the cries of a roast swan, to the weeping of someone broken by the turns of fate, to the joyful shouts of lovers, I hope you’ll gain a new understanding of them all. This material isn’t meant to be scholarly or definitive, but to be . . . fun. In my 30 years as a choral director, and my even longer career as a Carmina Burana Swan - the ironic and precarious tenor solo that is smack in the middle of the piece- the work I know the best is undoubtedly Carmina Burana. I have conducted at least four productions of it, and prepared it for other conductors at least twice. I have essayed the solo I mentioned above well over 100 times and frankly have lost count. In addition, I am an Orff certified music instructor. Certainly, Carl Orff and I are pretty well acquainted. But, as well as I know the notes, I must bow in homage to Debi Simons' masterful exploration of the text. I have never read anything as comprehensive, as entertaining, or as informative as her engagingly written and exhaustively researched commentary. I think any fan of the work will find it extremely enlightening. However, for conductors and singers, it is required reading. Which of us has the time or ability to research the text in the matter here presented? I cannot recommend it highly enough! Bravo! Brian Leatherman, Music Director, The Cherry Creek Chorale, Englewood, CO I would hate for any singers or listeners to experience this great masterpiece as just a succession of nonsensical syllables set to music. There is so much more enjoyment to be had when you understand the words, and so I set out to write a set of commentaries to accomplish that goal. After an overall introduction there's an individual essay for each section. My hope is that the voices and personalities of the lyrics will come alive for you so that you experience the huge range of emotions contained in these pieces. Even though the original authors lived many hundreds of years ago, we can identify with them if we understand what they're actually saying. From the cries of a roast swan, to the weeping of someone broken by the turns of fate, to the joyful shouts of lovers, I hope you'll gain a new understanding of them all. This material isn't meant to be scholarly or definitive, but to be . . . fun. Debi Simons sang for many years in school and church choirs, at some point making the transition from alto to tenor. (She has been a long- time fan of whom she calls "low-voiced ladies," including Anne Murray and Karen Carpenter.) Since joining the Cherry Creek Chorale in 2012 she has been motivated to help song lovers like herself better understand the pieces they love She is a Denver area speaker and the author of the series:- Masterworks Explained on the lyrics and meaning of great choral works.- Intentional Living on the deliberate pursuit of happiness.She is also the author of: Two articles in PedalPoint about growing as a pianist:     "Hymn Playing Basics " - How can you learn to do "fancy stuff" too?     "What I've Learned From Playing the Piano" -How to grow and teach The blogs     Behind the Music at DebiSimons.com     Respect Food Roles.com