Composer

:

Peter J. Wilhousky

Genre

:

Vocal

Average_duration

:

2:45

'Carol of the Bells' is a popular Christmas carol that was composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914. The carol was originally titled "Shchedryk," which means "bountiful" in Ukrainian. The melody of the carol is based on a traditional Ukrainian folk song that was sung during the New Year's season. In 1936, American composer and arranger Peter J. Wilhousky wrote new lyrics for the carol and arranged it for a cappella choir. The new lyrics were in English and were inspired by the original Ukrainian lyrics, which tell the story of a swallow flying into a household to bring good fortune. The premiere of Wilhousky's arrangement of 'Carol of the Bells' was performed by the NBC Symphony Orchestra on Christmas Day in 1941. The carol quickly became a holiday favorite and has been performed by countless choirs and orchestras around the world. The arrangement of 'Carol of the Bells' by Wilhousky is divided into four movements. The first movement features the main melody of the carol, which is sung by the choir in a four-part harmony. The second movement is a call-and-response section, where the choir sings "Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells" and the soloist responds with "All seem to say, throw cares away." The third movement is a fast-paced section that features a lot of vocal runs and intricate harmonies. The final movement is a reprise of the first movement, with the choir singing the main melody once again. The characteristics of Wilhousky's arrangement of 'Carol of the Bells' are its complex harmonies, intricate vocal runs, and dynamic shifts. The arrangement is challenging to sing, but when performed well, it creates a beautiful and powerful sound that captures the spirit of the holiday season.

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