Born July 10, 1895, in Munich. German composer, teacher, theater figure, and playwright (Federal Republic of Germany).

In 1913–14, Orff studied composition at the Munich Academy of Music; he continued his studies under H. Kaminski. He worked as a conductor at the Munich Drama Theater, later appearing as a concert conductor. In 1924 he helped found the Günter Schule, a school for gymnastics, music, and dance, in Munich.

By the mid-1930’s, Orff had shown himself to be an original composer for the musical theater. He became widely known for his full-length stage works that combined drama, singing, recitation, choreography, pantomime, and a unique orchestra consisting primarily of percussion instruments. Orff composed works based on plays by Sophocles (Antigonae, 1947–48; Oedipus Rex, 1957–58), Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1962), and Aeschylus (Prometheus, 1963–67). He also wrote musical works whose themes were taken from folktales (The Moon, 1937–38; The Prudent Woman, 1941—42; The Cunning Ones, 1945–52), historical chronicles, and mystery plays (more than 15).

As a teacher, Orff developed a system of musical instruction based on the group training of children. He compiled a collection of studies (vols. 1–5, 1951–55; with G. Keetman) that includes choruses, instrumental pieces for various ensembles, and short theater pieces. In 1962 the Orff Institute opened in Salzburg. A division of the Mozarteum, a higher school of music and theater, it is directed by the Austrian teachers W. Keller and H. Regner. The institute works with children and trains teachers from all over the world.

Orff’s system has become popular in many countries. In the USSR his methods are being tried on an experimental basis. Orff is a member of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts (1950) and the Academy of St. Cecilia (Rome, 1957). In 1949 he received the National Prize of the German Democratic Republic.