Apart from Richard Strauss, Carl Orff is the most important Bavarian composer of the 20th century. But it is only today, many years after his death, that the true greatness and mastership of this brilliant composer and educationalist have become completely evident: Today, Carmina Burana is the most frequently performed choral work of all time, and the Orff Method enjoys great popularity such as was unthinkable in Orff's time.

In view of this development, other works by Carl Orff have fallen into oblivion after his death surprisingly quickly. This is most notably the case with his Greek dramas, but for his Bavarian pieces as well. Various new productions, however, are heralding a renaissance, proving that Orff's oeuvre is regaining increased topicality and hitherto unexpected popularity.

The Darmstadt State Theatre has attended to the works 'Oedipus' and 'Antigone' in the production of John Dew, and even the Orff Festival in Andechs under the artistic direction of Hellmuth Matiasek breaks fresh ground with new productions of the Bavarian comedy 'Astutuli' and the Bavarian tragedy 'Die Bernauerin'.

The new DVD edition of B.O.A. VIDEOFILMKUNST Munich under the direction of Peider A. Defilla provides today a new, up-to-date image of the composer Carl Orff.