Ukrainian Bell Carol (flex)

Mykola Leontovych

Mykola Leontovych (arr. Richard Saucedo)

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

General Info

Year: 1904 / 2004 / 2018
Duration: c. 1:50
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Carol
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $60.00; (digital) - $60.00 | Score Only (print) - $7.50

Instrumentation (Flexible)

Full Score
Part 1

Flute
Oboe
B-flat Clarinet
B-flat Trumpet
Violin

Part 2

B-flat Clarinet
B-flat Trumpet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
Violin

Part 3

B-flat Clarinet
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone
E-flat Alto Clarinet
Horn in F
Violin
Viola

Part 4

B-flat Tenor Saxophone
Euphonium T.C
Horn in F
Trombone
Euphonium B.C.
Bassoon
Cello

Part 5

B-flat Bass Clarinet
Trombone
Euphonium B.C.
Bassoon
Euphonium T.C.
Cello
B-flat Baritone Saxophone
Tuba
String/Electric Bass

Timpani
Percussion I-II-III

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.

Based on Saucedo's popular setting for standard concert band, this holiday favorite has been adapted for the flex-band format. This sparkling version features a seasonal energy throughout as well as an ingenious quote of Jingle Bells in a minor key.

- Program Note from publisher

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Philadelphia (Penn.) Wind Symphony (Paul Bryan, conductor) - 17 December 2021

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

Bell Carol Rock (arr. Fraley) (1904 [1914?]/2010)
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