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Duration
1.40
Short description
As a student, Pärt earned pocket money by accompanying on piano the theatre club of the Tallinn Palace of the Pioneers (now the Kullo hobby centre). He came to the theatre at the invitation of Salme Lauren, who was then director of the theatre club and for whose translated, written, and staged plays Pärt composed a large amount of music in those years. Among those pieces are his earliest known works – composed more than half a century ago over the period 1956–1960, their exact dates unknown.
Ladybird’s Song was written for Lauren’s play Adventure in the Woods and they belong to Pärt’s 1960 cycle Tykes’ Songs, later titled Five Children’s Songs, as well as to the 2015 collection Songs from Childhood. Both are dedicated to his mother…
World premiere
Composer's recital: Arvo Pärt "Lapsepõlvelood" / "Songs from Childhood" CD promotional concert
Johanna Vahermägi (viola), Sten Lassmann (piano), Madis Metsamart (percussion), Kadri Hunt (conductor), Katariina Maria Kits (violin), Mari Poll (violin), Children's Music Studio of Estonian Radio , Mirjam Koppel (soloist), Liisi Leemets (soloist), Meelis Vind (bass clarinet), Henri Zibo (accordion), Andreas Lend (cello)
Completion year
Original version
Dedication
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Vocal text
Lyrics by Salme Lauren
Translation by Paul Hillier
I know that you find me lovely,
You are always quick to catch me.
I am really very small,
Do not hurt me, not at all.
My home is in big deep forests,
In the gardens full of flowers.
I am really very small,
Do not hurt me, not at all.
My coat’s red and very glossy,
Prettily with black dots spotted.
When you let me off your hand,
You will see it from the land.
From which side the guests are coming,
Promptly be there with your welcome.
I will bring you luck, my friend,
Do not hurt me in the end.
LEPATRIINU LAUL
Sõnad Salme Lauren
Tean, et olen sulle armas,
mind sa püüdma ikka kärmas.
Olen nõnda väikene,
ära mulle haiget tee.
Koduks mul on laaned laiad,
õiterikkad lilleaia…