The lyrics for “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” were written by Charles Wesley, an English hymn writer, and brother of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. The original text, which was titled “Hymn for Christmas Day,” was written in 1739. The music for the carol was composed by Felix Mendelssohn, a German composer, in 1840. Mendelssohn originally composed the music for a cantata to commemorate Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. Later, it was adapted to fit Wesley’s lyrics.
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” can be approached by pianists with intermediate to advanced skill levels. The main melody of the carol is relatively straightforward, making it accessible to intermediate players. Advanced pianists can focus on shaping the phrases and adding expressiveness to capture the spirit of the song.
