In 1966 he was hired as a director of the ensemble Ciocarlia, having under his baton 300 artists , including the symphonic orchestra, the ballet ensemble, the folkloric orchestra and the soloists. In 1966 Zamfir released his first Electrecord disc, deemed his most popular authentic compositions. The famous songs Doina de Jale and "Doina ca de la Visina were included. In 1968 Gheorghe released his second disc. Between 1968 and 1970 he went on his first tour in the Federal Germany, Switzerland, URSS, China; bringing him acclaim from critics and public alike.
Gheorghe left the Ciocarlia ensemble in 1969. In 1970 he forms the traditional concert group Taraf, obtaining amazing success in Paris at Vieux Colombier in 45 recitals, playing for the first time the 4 pan flutes soprano, alto, tenor, and bass that he invented in 1968. Introducing the pan flute in all the musical styles, beginning a world sound revolution, he got spectacular comments from the greatest musicians of that time, including Sergiu Celibidache, Hanz Hollinger, Maurice Bourg, Henri Dutilleux, Pierre Boulez and others.
In 1972 creates the Pan flute-organ style, introducing new repertoires and ways of interpreting. In 1974 composes the first "Mass for the Peace" for pan flute, choir, organ and orchestra, recorded in Bucharest with the Radio Orchestra and the Madrigal choir -lead by Marin Constantin, under the baton of Paul Popescu.
In 1976, his single "Ete d'amour" becomes one of the hits of the year. In one of the tours he meets the German composer and conductor James Last, with whom Zamfir collaborated for the " Lonely Shepherd ", his second European hit. He has tours in USA at Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center, Australia, New Zeeland, Japan, Canada, South Africa, Scandinavia, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria. He gets over 90 gold and platinum disks , 4 golden discs in South Africa, 4 platinum discs in New Zeeland, 4 golden discs in Australia.
In 1981 his discs are released on the American market. Until 1985 they were sold in millions of copies in USA and Canada. In USA he gets 2 golden discs, unique event for an European artist, and in Canada, through all 5 millions of sold discs he beats all the records.
In France, Germany, Austria and Belgium, Zamfir receives titles and medals, gold and platinum discs, the Order for Cultural Merit of France, the title of officer and cavalier of France, Belgium and Luxembourg.
In 1982 he creates the first rhapsody and the first concert for pan flute that he records for Philips with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic, under the baton of Lawrence Foster. In 1984 he creates the first quintet for pan flute and string quartet called "The Poplars Quintet", that he sang with the "Oxford Quartet" in Toronto in a live radio broadcasting; he composes several chamber works that he performed with the famous quartet "Enescu" in France and Germany.
In 1986 he records his first disc with baroque repertoire, among which the Double Concert in B minor for violin and oboe by J.S.Bach with British Chamber Orchestra.
Between 1988-1990 he is received for three times at the Vatican, being the first musician that sang during the private mass of the pope John Paul the second, receiving the Vatican Medal and twice the diploma of "Don Bosco" University in Rome. He receives twice the gold medal of the French Academy Association "Art-Science and Letters" of France, twice the Prize of "Charles Cros"Academy, "The Golden Sagittarius" in Italy, gold discs in Switzerland and Germany. He goes on tours in Latin America (in Columbia receives the Commander's order from the President ) in Ecuador and Venezuela he is invited for a great advertising campaign for a film using one of his own musical themes. He collaborated at the recording of the music of "Picnic at Hainging Rock", "Once upon a time in America" and "Karate Kid", in Australia, in Italy and Hollywood by the Paramount Company.
After 1990 he returns in Romania and continues his concerts and tours in France, Switzerland, and especially in Turkey where he is declared the most popular composer and artist of the XXth century. Author of over 300 works in the folkloric, chamber, choral, vocal, instrumental and symphonic style, Gheorghe Zamfir has a rich activity as a professor at the National University of Music in Bucharest, where it was created the first pan flute section in the world; he continues to give concerts on the most prestigious stages with symphonic and chamber orchestras, in recitals with piano and organ, achieving the status of one of the greatest musicians of the world, and for sure the most complex Romanian artist alive.
After nearly a decade-long absence, Romanian pan flute virtuoso Gheorghe Zamfir returned to Canada in January 2006 for a seven-city tour with TRAFFIC STRINGS quintet . The program included a world premiere: Vivaldi's Four Seasons for PanFlute and string quintet arranged by Lucian Moraru, jazz standards, and well-known favourites. This Master piece was soon after the subject to an album, released by SonArt Records in may 2006.
The repertoire of G.Zamfir is one of the most varied. He contains from baroque and classic composers like Bach, Corelli, Vivaldi, Telemann, Schubert, Schumann, Puccini, to contemporary known composers like Lennon, McCartney, Billy Joel and Elton John. We must also remember his own compositions, beginning with concerts for orchestra and pan flute, to simple songs reflecting the Romanian popular tradition:
- "Gloria", 1975
- "The breath of time", 1974
- "Colors of autumn"
- "Romantic Impression"(for pan flute and piano), 1988
- "Homage to J.S. Bach" (recorded for Philips with the pianist Georges Reboul, Paris, 1973)
- "Green Waltz"
- "Black Waltz"
- "Lyric Symphony"
Gheorghe Zamfir also published 3 volumes of poetry, 2 volumes of essays, an autobiographical book and had 4 painting exhibitions in the country and abroad. He is also involved in the actions of a foundation having his name, and who serves generous humanitarian and cultural purposes.
Danny Boy
Gheorghe Zamfir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
The song Danny Boy, performed by Gheorghe Zamfir, is a powerful and emotional ballad about saying goodbye to a loved one. The pipes are calling, representing the traditional Irish instrument that is often used in funerals and emigration. The references to the glens and mountain sides, as well as the falling roses, conjure up images of the beauty of Ireland and its fleeting nature. The singer of the song, presumably a lover or a family member bidding farewell, implores Danny to come back to them when the summer is in the meadow or when the valley is hushed and white with snow. This indicates that the separation is temporary, that they will only be apart for a season.
The refrain "Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!" is heartrending in its sincerity and raw emotion. It's clear that the singer is deeply attached to Danny and can't imagine life without him. The final verse takes on a more somber tone, as the singer acknowledges that death may claim them before Danny returns. They urge him to come and find their grave, to say an Ave for them, the traditional Catholic prayer for the dead. The idea that the singer will hear him above them, and that their resting place will be warmer and sweeter for his visit, is a touching one. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer stating that they will sleep in peace until Danny comes to them. Overall, the song captures the bittersweet nature of love and loss, of holding on and letting go.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
Oh, dear Danny, the sound of the bagpipes is beckoning you
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The pipes can be heard echoing throughout the valleys and slopes
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
The warm days of summer have passed, and the flowers are wilting away
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
You must leave, but I will remain here
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Please return to me when the meadow is green and the sun is shining
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
Or when the snow has covered the valley, and there is peaceful silence
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
I will be here for you, whether in good times or bad
Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!
Oh, my dear Danny boy, I love you deeply and truly
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
But when you return, and the flowers have withered away
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
If I have passed away, as I may have done
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
You will seek out the spot where I am laid to rest
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And you will kneel, and recite a prayer for my soul
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
Even though you will walk softly above my grave, I will hear you
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
My resting place will feel more comfortable and pleasant
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
Because you will lean down, and express your love for me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
And I will continue to rest in peace, until the day comes when we can be reunited
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Frederick E. Weatherly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lakesideresort527
The beautiful song is forever. Thank you Tony
@mikeyousofine
This has to be one of the Worlds best known and loved songs. Always great to listen to. Thank you Nancy.
@MEGPESSOA
Obrigada por compartilhar lindo vídeo e música.Felicidades. MEGPESSOA.23/8/11.
@musicmemories2010
@MEGPESSOA ( :
@IIA-Agg
lol a "traditional Irish folk song" written by an English lawyer... I'm sensing some entire bs in that.