Zsolt Kerestely, one of the most famous composers of Romanian light music, died at the age of 91
Composer Zsolt Kerestely. Photo source: Agerpres
Zsolt Kerestely, one of the best-known composers of Romanian light music, died on Tuesday, at the age of 91, according to Radio Romania Cultural and Agerpres.
The announcement of the death was made by the “Constantin Tănase” Magazine Theater on the institution's official Facebook page.
“Goodbye, Jolt Kerestély. Today another star of Romanian light music went out… The beloved and emblematic composer left us, leaving us a legacy of some of the most beautiful love songs, musicals and successful operettas. His “Tree”, performed by the incomparable Aurelian Andreescu, is still now, after almost six decades, in the top of the most beautiful Romanian hits of all the times”, transmitted the “Constantin Tănase” Magazine Theatre.
According to Radio Romania Cultural, throughout his career, Kerestély Zsolt composed over 700 songs.
“The Tree”, the song that marked generations
Among the most famous pieces bearing his signature are “The Tree”, performed by Aurelian Andreescu, “Tăcutele iubiri” (Eva Kiss) and “The World of Love” (Angela Similea).
The great success of the composer dates back to 1975, when the song “The Tree” became an international hit.
Where the coffin will be placed
According to the “Constantin Tănase” Magazine Theatre, the coffin with the lifeless body of the composer will be deposited on Wednesday afternoon in the foyer of the institution, where those who appreciated him will be able to pay him their last respect.
Zsolt Kerestely was born on May 12, 1934, in the town of Şiclod, Harghita county, in a family of reformed priests, according to Radio Romania Cultural. He studied organ and piano as a child, and after completing his military training, he moved to Cluj to attend the Conservatory.
In the last years of his life he devoted himself to instrumental compositions for the piano.
Message from Paul Surugiu (Fuego)
Singer Paul Surugiu, known by the stage name Fuego, sent a message on Facebook where he talked about the professional and personal relationship he had with Zsolt Kerestély.
The artist said that he met him at the age of 15, when he first arrived in Bucharest, and that he referred him to his mentor, the composer George Grigoriu. “For me it means START. I stepped into it for the first time in Bucharest, with my mother,” wrote Surugiu.
“The tree”, his representative song, is one of the reference songs of the Romanians, which has crossed time and moved generations”, the artist also said.
