Ukrainian musicians perform ‘Shchedryk' at the White House

A Christmas concert in Washington, Ukrainian musicians perform the famous song written by Mykola Leontovich, Shchedryk, also known as ‘Carol of the Bells', the press-office of the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA informs.

Shchedryk was performed by Ukrainian duet ‘Two violins' and a jazz band ‘Natalia Lebedeva Trio'. The musicians were the only foreigners, included in the Christmas concert. Thousands of people arrived to watch the performance.

"Ukrainians were the only ones who performed for two days in a row," says the press-office of the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA. "And the concert, which was supposed to last for 2 hours, was prolonged for 30 minutes on request of viewers and administration, and then – for another 30 minutes. 'Shchedryk is turning 100 years and  now it conquers the USA once again."

Mykola Leontovich composed ‘Shchedryk' in 1901. The most popular version of the tune was arranged by Mykola Leontovich in 1916. The English version of the song, ‘Carol of the Bells', was adopted by a popular American composer, Peter J. Wilhousky, in 1921.