Scored for
children's choir and instrumental ensemble or children's choir and piano
Duration
1.30
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.
Santa Claus 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), Madis Metsamart (percussion), Kadri Hunt (conductor), Katariina Maria Kits (violin), Mari Poll (violin), Children's Music Studio of Estonian Radio , Meelis Vind (clarinet, bass clarinet), Andreas Lend (cello)
Other titles
Näärivana
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
1.30
Publishers
Arvo Pärt Centre
Language
Estonian, English, German
Instrumentation details
instrumental ensemble: clarinet in B, bass clarinet in B, percussion (glockenspiel, bass drum, temple blocks) piano, I violin, II violin, viola, cello
Vocal text
SANTA CLAUS
Lyrics by Adolf Rammo
Translation by Paul Hillier
Tap, tap, tap!
Santa, Santa, oh what madness!
All the house is full of gladness.
It's a little sca-a-ry
And my heart is wa-a-ry.
Tap, tap, tap!
Here we stand beside the tree,
I have learned my songs by heart.
When we sing in harmony,
Then I know my special part.
I can sing of elfin towers,
Christmas bells that ring the hours.
And my voice, it doesn't break.
Absolutely, doesn’t break!
Anyhow, I've got my present.
Santa strokes my hair, and goes out
Striding through the snow along,
Off to hear another song.
Tap, tap, tap!
JÕULUVANA
Sõnad Adolf Rammo
Kop, kop, kop!
Jõuluvana tuleb juba!
Rõõmu täis nüüd on me tuba.
Põues hirmunatuke
araks teeb mind natuke.
Kop, kop, kop!<…
Lyrics by Adolf Rammo
Translation by Paul Hillier
Tap, tap, tap!
Santa, Santa, oh what madness!
All the house is full of gladness.
It's a little sca-a-ry
And my heart is wa-a-ry.
Tap, tap, tap!
Here we stand beside the tree,
I have learned my songs by heart.
When we sing in harmony,
Then I know my special part.
I can sing of elfin towers,
Christmas bells that ring the hours.
And my voice, it doesn't break.
Absolutely, doesn’t break!
Anyhow, I've got my present.
Santa strokes my hair, and goes out
Striding through the snow along,
Off to hear another song.
Tap, tap, tap!
JÕULUVANA
Sõnad Adolf Rammo
Kop, kop, kop!
Jõuluvana tuleb juba!
Rõõmu täis nüüd on me tuba.
Põues hirmunatuke
araks teeb mind natuke.
Kop, kop, kop!<…