253
“Joy to the World” is a classic Christmas carol often arranged for a variety of instruments, including the cello. The rich and resonant tones of the cello can bring a deep, soulful quality to this joyous melody. The melody commonly associated with “Joy to the World” was arranged by Lowell Mason in 1836, an American music educator and composer. He adapted the tune from a piece believed to have been composed by George Frideric Handel, though this connection has been debated by music scholars. Some phrases, particularly in the introduction, resemble passages from Handel’s “Messiah,” which may have influenced Mason’s composition.
