Carol of the Bells is a staple of the holiday season, particularly in the US. But where did this atmospheric song come from - it feels like a relatively recent addition to the Christmas repertoire, doesn't it?
The song actually has Ukrainian origins and the story behind it poignantly highlights the fact that Russian aggression against Ukraine isn't a recent phenomenon.
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It's that time of year again, when holiday music fills the air and brings cheer to all who hear it. And what better way to get into the spirit than with some festive piano music? If you're a pianist, you may be looking for some festive pieces to add to your repertoire. Here are the top 10 most popular Christmas pieces for piano as viewed by visitors to 8notes.com, counting down from ten to one.
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The Renaissance period in music describes the two hundred year period from 1400-1600. It was a period of great change and innovation in music, with the emergence of new musical styles, forms, and genres, as well as the development of new musical instruments and new forms of music notation.
During the Renaissance, composers began to write music that was more expressive and emotive than the music of the Middle Ages. They also began to experiment with new forms, such as the madrigal, which was a form of secular vocal music that was often written for small groups of voices.
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