Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych wrote Shchedryk in 1916, originally as a winter folk song. he Ukrainian National Chorus brought the carol to the USA. a few years later, when they performed it during a concert at Carnegie Hall in October 1922. It was the first stop on their tour of North America, as part of a cultural diplomacy mission. At that time, Ukraine was working to assert its independence and define its own identity (it would end up becoming part of the Soviet Union in December 1922).
The secret of Shchedryk, which conquered the world, has a number of factors to it. Obviously, the folk carol on which it is based is unique and wonderful. And certainly, there's the talent of Mykola Leontovych, who managed to arrange it in a way to create a true gem. And then there's the factor that they did a good job presenting this gem to the world.
American composer Peter Wilhousky gave the song its English lyrics and title in 1936, creating the contemporary Christmas staple. Its Ukrainian roots have been largely buried — until now.
Exactly a century after the song's North American debut, and during Ukraine's latest fight for freedom, Ukrainian musicians brought Shchedryk back to Carnegie Hall in December 2022.
