Scored for
children's choir and instrumental ensemble or children's choir and piano
Duration
1.50
Short description
At the beginning of his path as a composer, in 1950s and 1960s, Pärt wrote many children’s songs, piano pieces, and music for plays and animated films. During those years he was involved with several children’s studios and theatres, being the piano accompanist and musical designer.
Let the Snow Swish was published in the 1962 collection of Estonian composers’ pieces titled Songs for New Year, and were later published repeatedly in school songbooks.
World premiere
06.10.2015
Center of Russian Culture, Tallinn, Estonia
Composer's recital: Arvo Pärt "Lapsepõlvelood" / "Songs from Childhood" CD promotional concert
Johanna Vahermägi (viola), Sten Lassmann (piano), Kadri Hunt (conductor), Katariina Maria Kits (violin), Mari Poll (violin), Children's Music Studio of Estonian Radio , Meelis Vind (bass clarinet), Hanna Kristina Käerdi (soloist), Andreas Lend (cello), Madis Kari (clarinet)
Other titles
Näärilaul
Completion year
2015
Original version
1962
Dedication
"to my mother"
Scored for
children's choir and instrumental ensemble or children's choir and piano
Arranger
Tauno Aints
Duration
1.50
Publishers
Arvo Pärt Centre , Universal Edition , Estonian State Publishing House
Language
Estonian, English, German
Instrumentation details
instrumental ensemble: clarinet in B, bass clarinet in B, piano, I violin, II violin, viola, cello
Vocal text
LET THE SNOW SWISH
Lyrics by Paul Haavaoks
Translation by Paul Hillier
Now let the snowflakes swoosh and swish
Above us and around,
And snow lie deeply like a wish
Along the moon-lit ground.
We’re looking for a tree that fits
Our home; oh look, d’you see?
We’ll take it back with us, for its
A perfect Christmas tree.
Now woodland spirits wave and bow
Their branches in the air.
Fir-tree, at home soon you will glow
With candles in your hair.
Now let the snowflakes swoosh and swish
Above us and around,
And snow lie deeply like a wish
Along the moon-lit ground.
So let it storm all ov’r the land
And wind blow far and wee;
At home we’ll be, for there will stand
Our perfect Christmas tree.
LAS VIHISTAB
Sõnad Paul Haavaoks
Las vihistab, las vihistab
me ümber tuisutra…
Lyrics by Paul Haavaoks
Translation by Paul Hillier
Now let the snowflakes swoosh and swish
Above us and around,
And snow lie deeply like a wish
Along the moon-lit ground.
We’re looking for a tree that fits
Our home; oh look, d’you see?
We’ll take it back with us, for its
A perfect Christmas tree.
Now woodland spirits wave and bow
Their branches in the air.
Fir-tree, at home soon you will glow
With candles in your hair.
Now let the snowflakes swoosh and swish
Above us and around,
And snow lie deeply like a wish
Along the moon-lit ground.
So let it storm all ov’r the land
And wind blow far and wee;
At home we’ll be, for there will stand
Our perfect Christmas tree.
LAS VIHISTAB
Sõnad Paul Haavaoks
Las vihistab, las vihistab
me ümber tuisutra…