In the early seventeenth century, Avedis Zildjian I (the first) was an Armenian alchemist in the city Constantinople. While he was trying to create gold by combining standard metals, Zildjian discovered an alloy of copper, tin, and hints of silver with unique sound qualities. In 1618, Avedis Zildjian used his secret alloy to create cymbals of astounding clarity and power. The sounds of the cymbals he created were so extraordinary that the Sultan invited Zildjian to live at his court, the Topkapi Palace. There Zildjian created cymbals for the Sultan's elite Janissary Bands. As Avedis continued to make cymbals, his reputation grew and the Sultan gave him the name "Zildjian" in Armenian (Zilciyan in Turkish), a word meaning "son of cymbal maker." In 1623, Zildjian was granted permission to leave the palace and start his own business in Psamatia, a suburb of Constantinople. That same business is now nearly four centuries old and has been passed down through fifteen generations of Zildjian heir. In 1929, Avedis III moved the Zildjian factory to Quincy, MA and then to its current location in Norwell, MA for the company's 350th Anniversary. The business was then passed to Avedis's son, Armand in 1977 and then to Armand's daughter, Craigie, in 1999. Craigie in her sister, Debbie, currently continue the family tradition in what is the oldest family- owned business in America.
From 1851-1865, Avedis Zildjian II (the second) was the cymbal maker for the family company. Prior to 1851, the family's cymbals were simply known as "Turkish Cymbals." Zildjian II was the first to manufacture the cymbals using the family's name. During that year, he built a 25- foot schooner and sailed it from Constantinople to Marseilles and then to London where he showed off his cymbals at the World Trade Fair. In 1851 at the fairs and Paris and London, and again in 1862 and London, the cymbals with the name Avedis Zildjian won all prizes and awards for excellence. In 1865, the business was passed down to Kerope Zildjian who maintained the family's tradition.
Kerope Zildjian, the president of the business from 1865 to 1909 was recognized throughout Europe as one of the most successful craftsman of the Zildjian family. His "K Zildjian" cymbals exceeded all others in terms of resonance, thinness, and durability. He ran the business for 44 years and traveled to exhibitions all around Europe winning awards, certificates, and enhancing the family's reputation.
Aram Zildjian, president from 1909 to 1929, was the newphew of Kerope. He found it difficult to continue manufacturing cymbals in Constantinople during a period of political conflicts. After joinign the Armenian National Movement, he was temporarily forced to flee to Bucharest. Aram opened up a second Zildjian factory in Bucharest, while Kerope's daughter, Victoria, stepped in to keep the factory at Constantinople running. Eventually, Aram would return to his native country and where exported his cymbals around the world, but most notably to America, which was the largest consumer of musical instruments in the world. In 1927, Aram wrote to his nephew, Avedis III, who was already living in America, that he would have to carry on the family business. Aram told Avedis that he would have to re-establish the cymbal business in America. With help from Aram, Avedis Zildjian III set up the company in Quincy, MA in 1929, the beginning of the Jazz Era.
Avedis Zildjian III would go on to change the percussion industry. His countless innovations and trailblazing production techniques earned him an indisputable place as one of the most influential musical instrument manufacturers of the century. His indefatigable passion for his craft helped forever alter modern music and will continue to do so.
The source I used to research Zildjian's history was a very reliable source. It provided a long list of the family names that contributed to the family business. It also provided quotes from Avedis Zildjian III which was reprinted from Modern Drummer, Inc. on November 1995 with their permission. The website provided quotes from an interview, which is a primary source, making it reliable. After researching about their history, each time that I pick up my cymbals, I now feel that history in the cymbals. It now feels like I'm picking up two pieces of legendary material that contain a special force inside, not just pieces of metal. I truly love Zildjian cymbals and learning about their history makes me treasure my cymbals even more.
Zildjian. "About Zildjian." Zildjian. Zildjian, 22 Oct. 2015. Web. 10 May 2016.
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