“‘Carol of the Bells’ was written by a Ukrainian composer called Mykola Leontovych and is based on a Ukrainian folk chant which is essentially a well-wishing song about good fortune and prosperity. I felt it was important to use this melody at a time when the people of Ukraine are experiencing so much suffering but have nonetheless shown us all amazing resilience, courage, and strength of human spirit. “This is an instrumental reworking of the carol, and although there is such a powerful and immediate connection with anything that is sung, an instrumental arrangement gives you a different kind of freedom and approach. You can slow things right down without worrying about breathing and speed things up without concerns about the lyrics being understood. It’s all about texture, atmosphere, and, above all, emotion.”