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.
Le Chant D'Evita
Gheorghe Zamfir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I try to explain how I feel
That I still need your love after all that I've done
You won't believe me, all you will see is a girl you once knew
Although she's dressed up to the nines
At sixes and sevens with you
I had to let it happen, I had to change
Couldn't stay all my life down at heel
Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun
So I chose freedom, running around trying everything new
But nothing impressed me at all
I never expected it to
Don't cry for me, Argentina
The truth is, I never left you
All through my wild days, my mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance
And as for fortune, and as for fame
I never invited them in
Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired
They are illusions, they're not the solutions they promised to be
The answer was here all the time
I love you, and hope you love me
Don't cry for me, Argentina
Don't cry for me, Argentina
The truth is, I never left you
All through my wild days, my mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance
Have I said too much?
There's nothing more I can think of to say to you
But all you have to do is look at me to know
That every word is true
In "Don't Cry For Me Argentina," the singer pleads with her country not to mourn her departure, assuring them that she has not abandoned them, but rather her time away has shown her the depth of her love for them. She acknowledges the confusion her actions may have caused, remarking that it may be hard for others to understand why she still needs their love after everything she has done. The singer then reflects on her past, admitting that she had to change and experience new things, but ultimately she found that none of it was as important as her love for her country. She declares that she has never sought fame or fortune, and that all along, her heart has belonged to her people. She concludes by imploring them to not keep their distance, assuring them that her sincerity and love is true.
One possible interpretation of this song is as a tribute to Eva Perón, a beloved figure in Argentine politics and culture. The lyrics could be read as an expression of Perón's love for her country, and a reflection on her complicated legacy. Perón was known for her flamboyant style and for championing the rights of the working class, and her memory has endured in Argentina long after her death. The lyrics suggest that, despite any controversies or criticisms that may have been leveled against her during her life, Perón's love for her country remained constant.
Another possible interpretation of the song is more universal, reflecting on the difficulty of balancing personal growth and change with a deep sense of love and loyalty to others. The singer acknowledges the pull of the unknown, but ultimately decides that love is more important than new experiences or material success. This message is relevant to anyone who has had to navigate the complexities of personal relationships and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
It won't be easy, you'll think it strange
Trying to express my feelings will be difficult and you may find it odd
When I try to explain how I feel
I am attempting to articulate the emotions I am experiencing
That I still need your love after all that I've done
Despite my mistakes, I still require your affection
You won't believe me, all you will see is a girl you once knew
You will struggle to trust my words and only perceive me as the person I was before
Although she's dressed up to the nines, at sixes and sevens with you
Even though I have transformed my appearance, our relationship remains unsteady
I had to let it happen, I had to change, Couldn't stay all my life down at heel
I had to allow myself to evolve and couldn't remain stagnant and unhappy forever
Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun
I used to observe life from a distance and not actively participate
So I chose freedom, running around trying everything new
Therefore I pursued the thrill of independence and experimented with various experiences
But nothing impressed me at all, I never expected it to
Despite my efforts, I was not fulfilled and I did not anticipate to be
Don't cry for me, Argentina, The truth is, I never left you
Please don't weep for me, Argentina - I never truly abandoned you
All through my wild days, my mad existence, I kept my promise
Throughout my tumultuous years, I remained devoted to my commitment
Don't keep your distance
Please don't keep yourself distant from me
And as for fortune, and as for fame, I never invited them in
Regarding wealth and notability, I never intentionally pursued them
Though it seemed to the world they were all I desired, They are illusions, they're not the solutions they promised to be
Although it appeared to society that I wanted these things, they were not the solutions to my issues as they merely created illusions
The answer was here all the time, I love you, and hope you love me
The solution was always present - I love you, and I pray you love me
Have I said too much?, There's nothing more I can think of to say to you
I hope I have not overwhelmed you with my words as I have nothing else to express
But all you have to do is look at me to know, That every word is true
Simply examine me, and you'll acknowledge every word I've spoken is sincere
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind