Sheet Music: Carol of the Birds

TitleCarol of the Birds
Alternate titlesEl cant dels ocells
ComposerTraditional Catalan
InstrumentationFlute solo
KeyA minor
RangeE4–A5
Time signature4/4
Tempo60 BPM
Performance time0:45
Difficulty leveleasy
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (44 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (364 kB)
Date added2010-12-10
Last updated2010-12-10
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 7.2 (very popular)
Categories
Christmas carols, Traditional/Folk

Performances

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Friday 10 December 2010

Tune of the Day: Carol of the Birds

Traditional Catalan Christmas carol

There are several carols having the title “Carol of the Birds”, including a well-known Australian one by John Wheeler. The tune we present today is also known as “El cant dels ocells”, and is of Catalan origin. It could date back to as early as 1600. Its original version contained 14 verses that colorfully detail 32 different birds visiting the Christ child in his manger in Bethlehem.

Famous cellist Pablo Casals played an arrangement of this carol at countless concerts, helping make its tune popular throughout Europe and the Americas.

The carol was also sung by Joan Baez on her 1966 Christmas album Noël.

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