Carol of the Bells (arr Flowers)

Mykola Leontovych

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This melody is also known as the Ukranian Bell Carol.

General Info

Year: 1904 [1914?] / 2016
Duration: c. 2:00
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Grand Mesa
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $50.00 | Score Only (print) - $15.00

Instrumentation

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Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Carol of the Bells is a popular Christmas carol composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914 with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on a Ukrainian folk chant called Shchedryk.

The song is recognized by a four-note ostinato motif. It has been arranged many times for different genres, styles of singing and settings and has been covered by artists and groups of many genres: classical, metal, jazz, country music, rock, and pop. The piece has also been featured in films, television shows, and parodies.

- Program Note from Wikipedia

This work was first performed by students at Kiev University in December of 1916, and in its original form was sung by a-cappella four-voice choir. Flowers’ arrangement begins with bells and flutes playing the ostinato, and is followed by a full band fanfare. It continues with a traditional setting of the carol, employing colorful orchestration utilizing contrasting brass and woodwind choirs. A second section is introduced by a sudden percussion interlude, which ushers in a more contemporary setting of the carol.

Mr. Flowers originally wrote this arrangement for the Dueitt Middle School Band in Spring, Texas.

- Program Note from Spring High School Wind Ensemble concert program, 16 December 2016

Sources vary on composition date, 1904 or 1914.

Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

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Spring (Texas) High School Wind Ensemble (Joshua Andrew Smith, conductor) - 16 December 2016 (2016 Midwest Clinic)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Carol of the Bells (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Chambers) (1914/2020)
Carol of the Boombuckets (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Earp) (1924/2020)
Ukrainian Bell Carol (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Saucedo) (1904/2004/2018)

All Wind Works

Carol of the Bells (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Chambers) (1914/2020)
Carol of the Bells (arr. Davis; adapt. Longfield) (1904 [1914?]/2009)
Carol of the Bells (arr. Flowers) (1904 [1914?]/2016)
Carol of the Bells (arr. O'Loughlin) (1904 [1914?]/2004)
Carol of the Boombuckets (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Earp) (1924/2020)
Ukranian Bell Carol (arr. Saucedo) (1904 [1914?]/2004)
Ukrainian Bell Carol (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Saucedo) (1904/2004/2018)

Resources

Carol of the Bells, Wikipedia Accessed 11 November 2016