lõppskoori

Lõppskoori is a term used in Estonian music theory and choral practice to denote the final chorus of a vocal work. The word combines lõpp meaning end and koor meaning choir, with lõppskoori typically meaning “the final chorus” or “final choruses” in a given piece. The final chorus usually marks the conclusion of a work such as a cantata, oratorio, opera, or secular choral composition, and serves to provide formal closure and emotional resolution.

Characteristics of the lõppskoori vary by genre and era. It may reprise material from earlier sections, unify thematic material, and culminate in a strong cadence or climactic moment. The texture and instrumentation can range from a cappella singing to full orchestral accompaniment, and it may involve the entire choir, or choir with soloists. In performance practice, conveying finality—through dynamic emphasis, tempo adjustments, or grand tutti textures—helps signal the work’s end.

In many pieces the lõppskoori is part of a larger finale or serves as the concluding section that closes the dramaturgical arc. Its exact structure depends on the work and the composer’s aims, but it is generally designed to leave a sense of resolution and completion.

The term appears mainly in Estonian-language discussions of choral music, but it corresponds to the broader music-theoretical concept of a finale or coda. See also finale, chorus, coda.