Songs of the Season day 10

[sekiharatae]

Today we have "Carol of the Bells" (or the Ukrainian Bell Carol) as performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. As beautiful as this piece is when presented as an instrumental, it's so much better when performed as originally intended: sung a cappella.

Which is why I found it absolutely amazing when my first college roommate -- who had David Foster's version on CD -- insisted that I was "making it up" when I said the song had words (which I was singing under by breath before she interrupted me). I couldn't decide whether to be that she thought I was creative enough to come up with the lyrics on the spot, or insulted that she thought I would lie about something like that. O.o

I hope you enjoy this version. As a chorale, there is an added depth and difficulty due to the timing and the cues and the fact that much of it is sung almost in the round.

And if anyone can point me to a version in the original Ukrainian, that would be fantastic!

Previous Selections:
Day 1: Jo Stafford, Winter Weather
Day 2: Dean Martin, I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
Day 3: Eartha Kitt, Santa Baby
Day 4: Petula Clark, The Happiest Christmas
Day 5: Doris Day, Toyland
Day 6: Sammy Davis Jr., Christmas Time All Over the World
Day 7: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Day 8: Vanessa Williams, Baby, It's Cold Outside
Day 9: Nao, Fuyu no Sora

Comments

[lrdrandallslady.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is one of my absolute favs both to listen to and to sing. Yes, it is difficult, but can be just as overwhelming emotionally to sing as to listen to. All of the "old world" carols are like that for me. It's been ages since I've sung in a group that's wanted to perform this piece; most of the time I think directors view it as over-performed, even though most audiences love to hear it. I really miss singing it.

I don't think I have ever heard it sung in the original language, which is sad. I would love to know where to find it also.

[laura-josephsen.livejournal.com]

I've always loved Carol of the Bells and this version is beautiful. ^_^

[laura-josephsen.livejournal.com]

Also, I found a couple links that I think are the Ukraine version....maybe? I'd have a better idea if I, you know, actually spoke Ukrainian. ;)

This one is two women: First Link

This one is two children sisters: Second Link

This one is a group, a capella,, but there's some talking first: Third Link

I'm sure there are others, but I'm too tired to go hunting more. ;)

[nekohooch]

Singing this song as a soprano is Hard! You barely get to breathe, and if the director wants to go faster, you have to be able to basically spit the words to the people to be understood. But no matter how hard it is, the awesomeness that is this song cannot be denied. Once a choir gets it, they really get it! And it i a lot of fun to see how fast you can go! ^-^

[auronlu.livejournal.com]

I can't believe she'd be so sure it was instrumental.

Carol of the Bells is one of my favorite carols, and it's nearly impossible NOT to sing along when you hear it!

I was lucky, though. My school sent us around to nursing homes to carol the residents. This one was one of our best.

And my parents and I really need to head down to Temple Square and catch this some year. They moved to Utah after I left home. I've seen the tabernacle where the choir performs, but they weren't there at the time. Great pipe organ in there!

[sekiharatae.livejournal.com]

It was definitely very bizarre. O.o