The melody that has travelled the world and become a symbol of Christmas in many countries was born in Ukraine. It is an ancient tune, built on just four notes. The composer of the modern arrangement of Shchedryk, now known worldwide in its English adaptation as Carol of the Bells, was the renowned Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych.

Mykola Leontovych (1877–1921) was born into a priest’s family in the Podillia region, a historical area in central-western Ukraine. From a young age, he was passionate about music—his father taught him to play various instruments and introduced him to choral singing. After completing his studies at a theological seminary, Leontovych became a music and singing teacher, working in various educational institutions. He devoted his life to choral music, particularly arranging Ukrainian folk songs for choir performances, creating over 150 such arrangements.

Leontovych had a unique talent for transforming traditional Ukrainian melodies into masterpieces of global significance. The Carol of the Bells is one of his most famous choral arrangements. It was first performed by the Kyiv University Choir in 1916 to great acclaim, with newspapers covering the event extensively. Leontovych worked on Shchedryk for many years, creating five versions of the piece between 1901 and 1919. The final version, performed by the Ukrainian Republican Capella during its European and American tours from 1919 to 1924, brought Shchedryk worldwide recognition.

Leontovych's strong pro-Ukrainian stance made him a target of the Soviet-Moscow regime. Despite his immense respect among both intellectuals and ordinary people, he planned to go abroad—something the Moscow authorities feared, as it could spread awareness of Ukraine’s distinct culture internationally.

As a result, Soviet authorities ordered his assassination. In January 1921, an agent posing as a traveller asked to stay overnight at Leontovych’s father’s house, where the composer was visiting at the time. The next morning, the agent murdered him.

More than a century has passed, yet Leontovych’s Shchedryk continues to inspire and resonate across the world, performed by the most renowned artists and musical ensembles.

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