composer, choir organizer and conductor, music publicist, folklorist, pedagogue and music publicist.
Composer S. Šimkus is rightfully considered a classic of Lithuanian music. He is fascinated by the poetry of nature, domestic images, love lyrics. He received about 180 collected texts of Lithuanian folk songs together with melodies from Šilavot pastor Antanas Radušis. S. Šimkus was able to select valuable folk melodies and adapt them to the choir. His songs were released in various compilations ("Our songs", "Songbook", etc.).
More important works: collected and harmonized songs "ůžia girelė", "Oželis", "Tykus was a party", "Mes padainuosim", "Ko vėjai pucia", "Pamylėju vekar", "I grew up with my father", choral song "Daughter of the Wind" ” (fausto Kirša), symphonic poem “Nemunas” (about 1925). The composer's largest vocal-instrumental work is the opera "Kaimas prie dvaro" ("Pagirėnai"). It seemed to summarize the entire creative path of the composer, as it was completed in 1941 and built in 1942. in Kaunas.
S. Šimkus created the well-known mass song "Lituviais esame mes gimê" (text by Jurgis Sauervein), which became the anthem of Little Lithuania. While the composer was still alive, half of all songs sung in Lithuania were by S. Šimkaus. For many years, the choirs led by S. Šimkaus were considered the best in Lithuania. The composer was well acquainted with our folk art and wrote about 1,200 folk songs, melodies and texts. Most of them are still included in the repertoire of professional and amateur performers.
