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.
Little Drummer Boy
Gheorghe Zamfir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
The song "Little Drummer Boy" talks about a young boy who marches to Bethlehem to meet the newborn King. The lyrics begin with the boy being told that he must come to Bethlehem to see the newborn King, and then he and other people bring gifts to lay before Him. In the second stanza, the boy admits that even though he does not have any valuable possession to offer to the King, he is willing to play his drum for Him if He wishes. The last stanza describes how Mary nods in approval as the boy plays his drum, and even the animals keep time with the rhythm. The boy ultimately feels happy as he plays his best for the King, and when the King smiles at him, he knows that he has done well.
The song talks about the spirit of Christmas and the idea that giving doesn't always have to be expressed through physical gifts. It shows that giving entire oneself with whatever abilities they have is also a valuable offering. This idea is appropriate for Christmas as the holiday focuses on the spirit of giving and spreading love and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They came and informed me with excitement, producing rhythmic drumming sounds
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
We are on our way to witness and pay homage to the newborn King for the first time, making rhythmic drumming sounds
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We are presenting our most valuable and exquisite gifts, producing rhythmic drumming sounds
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To offer before our Lord and King with respect and submission, while making rhythmic drumming sounds
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
These repetitive rhythmic drumming sounds signify the anticipation and excitement building up within us
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
We are doing all this to show our deep respect and admiration, while continuing to make rhythmic drumming sounds
When we come
On our arrival to the presence of our King, while still making rhythmic drumming sounds
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
We see the newborn King, still making rhythmic drumming sounds
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I, too, am a humble lad with few worldly possessions, while continuing to make rhythmic drumming sounds
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I come empty-handed without any precious gifts to present, still making rhythmic drumming sounds
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That is deemed worthy of offering to our divine King, while still making rhythmic drumming sounds
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
These rhythmic drumming sounds indicate my willingness and eagerness to offer something worthwhile
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Can I, at least, play my trusty drum for You? This still continues with rhythmic drumming sounds
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary silently communicated a positive reply, still accompanied by rhythmic drumming sounds
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals present synchronized their movements and sounds with mine, resulting in a symphony of rhythmic drumming sounds
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum with full conviction and dedication for Him, while still creating rhythmic drumming sounds
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I gave my utmost effort and excellence, making it the best drumming performance for our King, still accompanied by rhythmic drumming sounds
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
These rhythmic drumming sounds convey my gratitude and honor towards our King
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Finally, I received the King's approval and blessings, and I take this moment to make rhythmic drumming sounds
Me and my drum
I leave the place with pride and joy, carrying my drum that became the medium of the Lord's glory
Lyrics © INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind