Copy of Postcard "Swallow"

Painter Olga Haidamaka The whole world knows the song "Shchedryk" arranged by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. The story of the swallow, which portends a good year, profit and offspring of the flock of sheep to its owner, is sung and re-sung by carolers, church choirs and everyone who knows and loves Christmas carols.The son of a village priest, composer Mykola Leontovych worked on his future masterpiece virtually all his life. The first score appeared in 1901-1902, followed by four more. Initially, the song was designed for a three-part choir. But later another vocal part appeared, and now the song is performed by a 4-part mixed choir: two female parts and two male parts.For the first time in the form in which we know it, "Schedryk" was performed by the Kyiv University choir in 1916Although formally Shchedry Vecher in Ukraine is celebrated on January 13, "Schedryk" has become popular precisely as a Christmas carol. And this is the merit of the Ukrainian diaspora in the USA. I