‘Carol of the Bells’
Despite the lack of bells in the historical references of the early church, there existed a legend that at the very moment when Jesus was born, all the bells in the village of Bethlehem pealed together in one joyous cacophony of sound.
Perhaps this legend is the basis of a carol from the Ukraine, titled ‘Schedryk.’ It was discovered and arranged by Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovich, a Russian composer who was born in 1877 and eventually taught music and singing in Ukrainian schools.
A student choir from the University of Kiev first performed his version of this catchy folk tune in December 1916. It was a part of the Ukrainian National Chorus repertoire during its 1,000-plus concert tour around Europe and the Americas. It was introduced to American audiences on October 5, 1921 at Carnegie Hall.
A recording of ‘Carol of the Bells’ on a 1958 best-selling Harry Simeone Choir holiday album further broadened the song’s appeal.
You will hear this song tonight during the Christmas cantata: ‘Noel.’ You will hear a piece titled: ‘Ring Those Bells Medley,’ which includes ‘Carol of the Bells.’
Meanwhile…1958…49 years ago…in the United States…
President: Dwight D. Eisenhower…V.P.: Richard Nixon
Bread: .19¢/loaf, Milk: .25¢/qt., Gas: .30¢/gal., Stamp: 4¢
Best picture: ‘Gigi’ Best Actor: David Niven
TV shows: Burns & Allen, Perry Mason, I Love Lucy, Gunsmoke, Leave it to Beaver
The Harry Simeone Chorale recorded the Fred Waring song: ‘Little Drummer Boy’
Al and Jerry Lapin founded The International House of Pancakes (IHOP) in California
The Barbie doll patented by Mattel. Ruth Handler (designer) named it after her daughter
Binney & Smith (Crayola crayons) introduced the 64-count Crayola crayon box
McDonald’s hit the 100 million sold mark
Legos building blocks were introduced
Wham-O began selling the Hula-Hoop
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were married
The Buffalo Evening News’ cartoonist, Bruce M. Shanks, won The Pulitzer Prize
Ref. HymnHistories Cyberhymnal WebEdelic DMarie TanBible Wikipedia BuffaloHistory.com
Despite the lack of bells in the historical references of the early church, there existed a legend that at the very moment when Jesus was born, all the bells in the village of Bethlehem pealed together in one joyous cacophony of sound.
Perhaps this legend is the basis of a carol from the Ukraine, titled ‘Schedryk.’ It was discovered and arranged by Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovich, a Russian composer who was born in 1877 and eventually taught music and singing in Ukrainian schools.
A student choir from the University of Kiev first performed his version of this catchy folk tune in December 1916. It was a part of the Ukrainian National Chorus repertoire during its 1,000-plus concert tour around Europe and the Americas. It was introduced to American audiences on October 5, 1921 at Carnegie Hall.
A recording of ‘Carol of the Bells’ on a 1958 best-selling Harry Simeone Choir holiday album further broadened the song’s appeal.
You will hear this song tonight during the Christmas cantata: ‘Noel.’ You will hear a piece titled: ‘Ring Those Bells Medley,’ which includes ‘Carol of the Bells.’
Meanwhile…1958…49 years ago…in the United States…
President: Dwight D. Eisenhower…V.P.: Richard Nixon
Bread: .19¢/loaf, Milk: .25¢/qt., Gas: .30¢/gal., Stamp: 4¢
Best picture: ‘Gigi’ Best Actor: David Niven
TV shows: Burns & Allen, Perry Mason, I Love Lucy, Gunsmoke, Leave it to Beaver
The Harry Simeone Chorale recorded the Fred Waring song: ‘Little Drummer Boy’
Al and Jerry Lapin founded The International House of Pancakes (IHOP) in California
The Barbie doll patented by Mattel. Ruth Handler (designer) named it after her daughter
Binney & Smith (Crayola crayons) introduced the 64-count Crayola crayon box
McDonald’s hit the 100 million sold mark
Legos building blocks were introduced
Wham-O began selling the Hula-Hoop
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were married
The Buffalo Evening News’ cartoonist, Bruce M. Shanks, won The Pulitzer Prize
Ref. HymnHistories Cyberhymnal WebEdelic DMarie TanBible Wikipedia BuffaloHistory.com
2 comments:
"The Little Drummer Boy" was never a "Fred Waring song." Harry Simeone came up with that himself, in collaboration with a few others. Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians eventually did record it in 1964 with Frank Sinatra handling the lead vocal. A sidebar: Harry Simeone was for years one of Waring's staff arrangers...Simeone is the genius behind the Pennsylvanians' very famous arrangement of "T'was The Night Before Christmas." His choral arrangements for years were published out of Waring's choral music publishing company, Shawnee Press.
Thanks...
I'm always trying to get the facts straight.
Bud
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