Yesterday that Claymation Carol of the Bells video popped into my YouTube feed and since it gave me a giggle I shared it. This morning I took it a step further and did a little Carol of the Bells research and learned that it was originally written by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych.
I then discovered that this year marks the debut performance of Carol of the Bells in the United States some 100 years ago. To commemorate the 100 year anniversary of its debut here and to raise money to benefit Ukraine a live performance just recently took place at New York’s Carnegie Hall.
Here is the MSNBC report I stumbled upon:
I ended up needing a tissue to get through that report. Then I found this report from NBC Nightly News:
I needed another tissue.
From it I was inspired to find the actual Carnegie Hall performance. It was strange that in todays world of technology I could only find poor quality posts of it on YouTube, but persist I did and finally found this, it is superb.
Shchedryk (aka Carol of the Bells) at notes from Ukraine in Carnegie Hall – December 4,2022
What I have also found is that the song has roots in pre-Christian folk chants and a traditional folk tale that a swallow flies into a home to bring news of the arrival of a bountiful and prosperous New Year. As I type this into my iPad, I shed tears in the hope that 2023 will bring a new year to all of the people of Ukraine that brings not only peace but health and prosperity.
The Ukrainians – Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells) – 2017
Long Live Ukraine!