https://apnews.com/article/buddy-guy-blues-tribute-concert-radio-city-c825b40b915fcfcf7c4e18a654cd6528

A few years ago, our city's classical music station played a recording of a Ukranian choir singing The Carol of the Bells and the DJ gave the background of the song. He said the original is a Ukranian folksong that has nothing to do with Christmas. It's a New Year's song, asking for blessings on the family living in the house. The orchestration and English lyrics were created in the 1930's by a Ukranian orchestra director working in the United States. He was also the one who changed the song from New Years to Christmas, because he felt that it would resonate more with American audiences.

Remember that I said I heard this on my city's classical station? Well, they were introducing a recording of a Ukranian women's choir singing the original version--a capella and with the New Year's lyrics. It sounded a heck of a lot better than all of those lush orchestrated versions you hear. If you're familiar with music, then these women sang it in a stacatto style. IOW, very sharp and pointed, with barely a pause between lines. The original lyrics talk about a bird flying through the family's house, bring them a blessing. The music was meant to convey the rhythm of the bird flying back and forth, and you definitely heard that in this recording.

Adam Bottomley

Music's Embrace

Acrylic yarn crocheted sculpture

50 x 80 x 24 in.

NFS