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"'Carol of the Bells': who wrote the lyrics and who composed the music?"
https://www.classical-music.com/features/articles/carol-of-the-bells-lyrics-and-music/(multiple videos & more at link)
'Carol of the Bells': who wrote the lyrics and who composed the music?
Composed and written in the 20th century, 'Carol of the Bells' has become a firm favourite at carol services across the world
Carol of the Bells lyrics and music
By BBC Music Magazine
Published: December 10, 2021 at 3:13 pm
The music was composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1916, who was asked by conductor Oleksander Koshyts to produce a piece inspired by Ukrainian chants. 'Shchedryk' was the result, a four-note ostinato in a 3/4 time signature that celebrated the New Year. A story of promise, hope and better times ahead, the original Ukrainian lyrics recount how a swallow promises a household wealth for the following spring....
The song was first performed in 1916 but lost popularity when Ukraine got swallowed up into the Soviet Union.
The main melody is passed seamlessly around the choir, while the lower parts maintain the bell-like 'Ding, dong' motif. The tenor and bass parts are encouraged to replicate the sound of a bell here, bouncing off each note onto the next, before joining the upper parts to sing 'Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas' in four-part harmony. The tempo of the piece seems to fluctuate depending on the interpretation, but it is usually a fast 3/4, with the conductor leading the choir on the first beat of the bar, rather than signalling every individual beat.
[...]
Composed and written in the 20th century, 'Carol of the Bells' has become a firm favourite at carol services across the world
Carol of the Bells lyrics and music
By BBC Music Magazine
Published: December 10, 2021 at 3:13 pm
The music was composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1916, who was asked by conductor Oleksander Koshyts to produce a piece inspired by Ukrainian chants. 'Shchedryk' was the result, a four-note ostinato in a 3/4 time signature that celebrated the New Year. A story of promise, hope and better times ahead, the original Ukrainian lyrics recount how a swallow promises a household wealth for the following spring....
The song was first performed in 1916 but lost popularity when Ukraine got swallowed up into the Soviet Union.
The main melody is passed seamlessly around the choir, while the lower parts maintain the bell-like 'Ding, dong' motif. The tenor and bass parts are encouraged to replicate the sound of a bell here, bouncing off each note onto the next, before joining the upper parts to sing 'Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas' in four-part harmony. The tempo of the piece seems to fluctuate depending on the interpretation, but it is usually a fast 3/4, with the conductor leading the choir on the first beat of the bar, rather than signalling every individual beat.
[...]
1 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
