For Rosa

In 2001 I was asked to write a short work for string quartet to commemorate the life of Rosa Zerfas (1898-1983) by her daughter. She asked me at the time to use one or both of the melodies that her mother used to sing to her: one a well-known lullaby melody and the other a Polish folk song. I was genuinely intrigued by Rosa's story. What impressed me the most was the overwhelming strength and generosity of spirit that this woman possessed, especially as she tirelessly helped people whom she'd never met before.

One of the more curious stories about her concerned how she made her financial wealth by placing a one pound deposit on a factory from which she launched a very successful business career. I was intrigued by this idea of starting something from very little, and so started my piece with a simple solo violin melody, that bobs along like a stream over pebbles and that was based on the lullaby that Rosa sang to her daughter. The others players join in gradually, and the movement starts building up momentum like children making waves in a bath.

I found it curious to write this work, because it is largely in a major key, which is rare for me, but I felt strongly that For Rosa should be a radiant celebration of a formidable woman rather than a more sombre and traditional "in memoriam" type work.

For Rosa was commissioned for Musica Viva Australia in memory of Rosa Zerfas.

Programme note by Elena Kats-Chernin, 2001

Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to the composer