Ukraine’s ‘Carol of the Bells’ – A Centennial Celebration
One of the most beautiful and beloved songs performed by choirs, vocal ensembles, musical groups, and instrumentalists during the Christmas season is the hauntingly joyful, “Carol of the Bells.” Unless you’re a musician who’s performed the song, you’re probably unaware it’s a Ukrainian carol. Even if you do, you may not know its Ukrainian-American backstory which uncannily, but sadly, mirrors our world today.
Mark Twain said, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes;” and in this case it also sings. This is the fascinating story of how the Ukrainian folk song, “Shchedryk” became “Carol of the Bells” a musical gift to the world for the last one hundred years.
Related Story: “‘Carol of the Bells,’ a Christmas Staple From Ukraine, a Century Later”
In a full circle concert, Ukraine’s Shchedryk Children Choir performed Carol of the Bells at Carnegie Hall earlier this month in celebration of its centennial, an event two years in the making, more than a year before Putin’s barbaric invasion of their country.
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Martin Scorsese made these impassion remarks and plea for assistance before their performance. The QR code he mentions is also scannable in the video, if you’d like to make a donation.
A multinational choir of NATO forces stationed in Latvia put out this video of them performing “Carol of the Bells” in a snowy forest near the board with Russia. Their message to the world through the power of music is clear.
