The "Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol which has been recorded both in vocal and instrumental renditions for many years. The music was composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914. The most well-known lyrics were written by Peter J. Wilhousky in 1936. The first rendition of the song is based on the Ukrainian folk chant "Shchedryk". This version told the story of a bird who flies into the home of a Ukranian family to announce that the coming new year will be a good one for them. But when Wilhousky rearranged the melody for a radio performance by the NBC orchestra he also added new lyrics centered around the theme of bells because the melody reminded him of hand bells. This new version was first aired during the Great Depression.
American recordings by various artists began to surface on the radio in the 1940s. The song continued to grow in popularity when it was featured in television advertisements for champagne in the 1970s by the French a cappella group the Swingle Singers. The "Carol of the Bells" has been recorded over 150 times with arrangements varying from instrumental to choral and every combination in between.
Miss Ann's favorite versions are performed by hand bells, a carillon, and on piano. But perhaps the Carol of the Bells strongest claim to fame is its inclusion on the soundtrack of Home Alone and being the spring board for a band named Savatage to transform themselves into the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Thank you Babs, Lou Ann, Henri and Daisy! I'm glad you're enjoying all the info- I'm having just as much fun researching them! By the way- check out the link I added. If you enjoy my creativity, then you'll enjoy this video!
Thank you Babs, Lou Ann, Henri and Daisy! I'm glad you're enjoying all the info- I'm having just as much fun researching them! By the way- check out the link I added. If you enjoy my creativity, then you'll enjoy this video!
@grammyn Thanks Katy!