Fogbow

The Ukrainian folk song that became a symbol of freedom and a popular U.S. Christmas carol

'Tis the holiday season and the bells are ringing. Almost everyone has probably heard numerous versions of the popular Christmas song “Carol of the Bells.” But few people know that this song was actually adapted from a traditional Ukrainian folk chant, “Shchedryk.”

And “Shchedryk” has taken on even more significance this holiday season because a century ago the folk song became a symbol of Ukrainians’ desire for freedom at a time when the country was being occupied by Soviet Russian invaders in the aftermath of World War I. “The story of Shchedryk is the story of the Ukrainian fight for independence,” said Tina Peresunko, a leading expert on the song’s history who is currently a research fellow at the National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv.

The song’s title is derived from the Ukrainian word “shchedryj,” or bountiful. The song originally had nothing to do with Christmas. Instead, it was one of the traditional “winter well-wishing songs” sung in Ukrainian villages on Jan. 13—New Year’s Eve on the Julian calendar—by young girls going house to house. The girls sang the folk chant predicting good fortune for the New Year, and were rewarded with baked goods and other treats.

Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych adapted the folk chant to create a choral masterpiece—with a haunting recurring four-note motif as an ostinato, a continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm—on a commission from Oleksander Koshyts, conductor of the Ukrainian Republican Kapelle. It was first performed in December 1916 at the Kyiv Philharmonic.

cassandra wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 12:11 am And of course, there's the Adam Sandler classic (the song, not necessarily the movie):


From a whole list, including an original Woodie Gurthrie....

https ://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-hanukkah-songs/

As Mr. Sandler sings, "not too shabby".

Tiredretiredlawyer wrote: ↑Tue Dec 27, 2022 7:17 pm https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/1 ... tmas-carol

The Ukrainian folk song that became a symbol of freedom and a popular U.S. Christmas carol

'Tis the holiday season and the bells are ringing. Almost everyone has probably heard numerous versions of the popular Christmas song “Carol of the Bells.” But few people know that this song was actually adapted from a traditional Ukrainian folk chant, “Shchedryk.”

And “Shchedryk” has taken on even more significance this holiday season because a century ago the folk song became a symbol of Ukrainians’ desire for freedom at a time when the country was being occupied by Soviet Russian invaders in the aftermath of World War I. “The story of Shchedryk is the story of the Ukrainian fight for independence,” said Tina Peresunko, a leading expert on the song’s history who is currently a research fellow at the National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv.

The song’s title is derived from the Ukrainian word “shchedryj,” or bountiful. The song originally had nothing to do with Christmas. Instead, it was one of the traditional “winter well-wishing songs” sung in Ukrainian villages on Jan. 13—New Year’s Eve on the Julian calendar—by young girls going house to house. The girls sang the folk chant predicting good fortune for the New Year, and were rewarded with baked goods and other treats.

Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych adapted the folk chant to create a choral masterpiece—with a haunting recurring four-note motif as an ostinato, a continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm—on a commission from Oleksander Koshyts, conductor of the Ukrainian Republican Kapelle. It was first performed in December 1916 at the Kyiv Philharmonic.

https ://youtu.be/GqeJ38DThVc

Gregory Verevka. Today this name is known far beyond Ukraine. And it all began in 1943 almost immediately after the liberation of Kharkov from the Nazis, when it was decided to create a Ukrainian folk choir. Gregory Verevka was appointed artistic director. The selection of artists was not easy. Some musicians were specially searched on the fronts by field mail. And vocalists were recruited on trips to cities and villages. Many had no musical education - they just loved to sing and had strong vocal skills. Then the choir moved to Kyiv, and on September 6, 1944, the first concert was given - it was dedicated to the people of Kyiv, who rebuilt their destroyed city. We had to perform without costumes - women hid tarpaulin boots behind the backs of men standing a row below. This was the beginning of a great and glorious journey. On our stage, the pride of Ukraine is the National Honored Academic Ukrainian Folk Choir named after Gregory Verevka.

Frater I*I wrote: ↑Tue Dec 27, 2022 9:10 pm Am I the only one here that loathes christmas music....


Yes, I do, and I apologize for nothing....

Tiredretiredlawyer wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 11:09 am Firstborn Son has always hated Country music. When we would drive with him in his car seat we'd hit different radio station buttons to find a good song. Knowing he couldn't abide country, we had to hit a country station button.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" he would shriek from the backseat. "That isn't MUSIC!!!!"

He was about two or three then. He hasn't changed his position.