Composer

:

Vilnis Smidbergs

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

04:43

'Tā lapa, tā lapa, kas lejup krīt' (The Leaf That Falls) is a choral work composed by Vilnis Smidbergs, a Latvian composer, conductor, and music educator. The piece was composed in 1971 and premiered in the same year by the Latvian Radio Choir. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, marked 'Allegro moderato', is a lively and rhythmic setting of the Latvian folk song 'Tā lapa, tā lapa, kas lejup krīt'. The choir sings the melody in unison, accompanied by a pulsing rhythmic pattern in the lower voices. The movement builds to a climax before subsiding into a quiet ending. The second movement, marked 'Andante', is a more contemplative setting of the same folk song. The choir sings the melody in a gentle, flowing manner, with lush harmonies and a sense of longing and nostalgia. The movement ends quietly, with a sense of unresolved tension. The final movement, marked 'Allegro', is a lively and energetic setting of the Latvian folk song 'Kur tu teci, gailīti' (Where Are You Going, Little Rooster). The choir sings the melody in unison, accompanied by a driving rhythmic pattern in the lower voices. The movement builds to a frenzied climax before ending abruptly. Overall, 'Tā lapa, tā lapa, kas lejup krīt' is a vibrant and colorful work that showcases Smidbergs' skill in setting Latvian folk songs for choir. The work is characterized by its rhythmic vitality, lush harmonies, and sense of nostalgia and longing. It remains a popular and frequently performed work in the Latvian choral repertoire.

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