My music is very much about rhythm and sound. While completing this string quartet it struck me that ”zum-zum” is just that: rhythm and sound. What is ”zum-zum”? It is something that many Swedes recognize from a song by Carl Michael Bellman (1740-1795) called Fredman’s Epistle no. 2. In this song there are several descriptions or instructions on what to do with the violin. Although not included in the lyrics ”zum-zum” is always by tradition sung to imitate the sound of bowed string instruments.
Below is a word-for-word translation of some lines from Fredman’s Epistle. no. 2 (excluding the context):
To Father Berg, concerning his violin
So screw up the violin
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And stroke your silver string, The red bow throw,
And with your arm turn,
Do not damage the violin
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On your strings stands; Every tone you hit,
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Give the bow more resin, ---
- Carl Michael Bellman
Zum-zum was commissioned by Riksonserter and premiered by the Aurora String Quartet 2006.
Henrik Strindberg
Neo Quartet, London Ear 2018 Festival