Ukrainian Bell Carol

From Wind Repertory Project
Mykola Leontovych

Mykola Leontovych (arr. Richard Saucedo)


The melody of this work is also known as Carol of the Bells.


General Info

Year: 1904 [1914?] / 2004
Duration: c. 1:45
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $55.00   |   Score Only (print) - $5.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Triangle
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Carol of the Bells is a popular Christmas carol composed by Mykola Leontovych in 1904 with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on a folk chant known in Ukrainian as Shchedryk. It was associated with the coming new year, which, in pre-Christian Ukraine, was originally celebrated with the coming of spring in April. (This explains why the original Ukrainian text speaks about a swallow returning and lambs being born.)

The melody was introduced to Western audiences by the Ukrainian National Chorus during its concert tour of Europe and the Americas, where it premiered in the United States on October 5, 1921, at Carnegie Hall.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Sources vary on date of composition, 1904 or 1914.


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Gulf Coast Wind Ensemble (Ocean Springs, Miss.) - 12 December 2023
  • Beaver County Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Rochester, Penn.) (Kevin Newton, conductor) - 10 December 2022
  • East Winds Symphonic Band (Munhall, Penn.) (Susan Sands, conductor) - 12 December 2021
  • Grace College (Winona Lake, Ind.) Wind Ensemble (Eric Criss, conductor) – 29 November 2021
  • Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, Minn.) Bands (Heidi Johanna Miller, conductor) - 8 December 2020
  • Mukwonago (Wisc.) High School Concert Band (Emma Angoli, conductor) – 11 December 2019
  • Atascadero (Calif.) Community Band (Randy Schwalbe, conductor) – 9 December 2018
  • Arkansas State University (Jonesboro) Wind Ensemble (Timothy Oliver, conductor) – 2 December 2018
  • Lemont (Ill.) High School Band (Matt Doherty, conductor) – 4 December 2017
  • University of South Alabama (Mobile) Symphony Band (Jason Rinehart, conductor) – 7 November 2016
  • Atascadero (Calif.) Community Band (Carlos Gama, Jr., conductor) – 13 December 2015
  • South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble (Linwood, N.J.) (Keith Hodgson, conductor) – 10 December 2012


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources