“O Fortuna” is the opening and closing movement of Carmina Burana, a scenic cantata composed by Carl Orff. Based on a medieval Latin poem lamenting the fickleness of fate, the piece is characterized by massive choral forces, pounding percussion, and stark harmonic writing that create an overwhelming sense of inevitability and power. Its dramatic crescendos and relentless rhythmic drive symbolize the turning Wheel of Fortune, moving humanity between triumph and despair. Since its premiere, “O Fortuna” has become one of the most recognizable works in classical music, frequently used in film, television, advertising, and popular culture to evoke grandeur, tension, and epic drama.