Pavol Zelenay (15 April 1928 – 8 July 2024) was a Slovak swing composer, producer, musician, and music critic who was best known as a co-founder of the Bratislavská lýra popular song contest.
Pavol Zelenay | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 April 1928 |
| Died | 8 July 2024 (aged 96) |
| Known for | Co-founder of the Bratislavská lýra festival |
Biography
editPavol Zelenay was born on 15 April 1928 in the village of Zohor in the Malacky District[1] to Emil Zelenay, a lawyer, and Magdaléna (née Križanová). He was the oldest of four children.[2] Already during his studies at the grammar school in Piešťany, he was a member of the student band called Tiger Jazz Band.[3]
After high school, he enrolled in the construction engineering program at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava while simultaneously studying clarinet play. In 1950 he recorded his first song at the Slovenský rozhlas studios. Between 1967 and 1984, Zelenay was the head of the popular music department at the Slovenský rozhlas, where he played a crucial role in providing platform for new bands and starting musicians.[1] He was the producer of the first Slovak rock album Zvonky zvoňte by the Prúdy band.[4] In 1990 he retired from the Slovenský rozhlas but continued his work as an external contributor.[5]
In 1966, Zelenay and the musician Ján Siváček established the Bratislavská lýra festival, inspired by the example of the Sanremo Music Festival. The festival helped to launch the careers of future starts of Slovak pop music, including Elán, Modus and Marika Gombitová.[6][7]
Death
editZelenay died on 8 July 2024, at the age of 96.[8]
Awards
editIn 2011, Zelenay was awarded the Order of Ľudovít Štúr, 3rd class by the president of Slovakia Ivan Gašparovič for his lifelong contribution to development of Slovak music.[8] In 2011 he was introduced into the Hall of Fame of Slovak pop music.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b "História - Pavol Zelenay - RTVS.sk". www.rtvs.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Kronika rok 2008, Dodatok – Pavol Zelenay, obeczohor.sk".
- ^ "Zelenay Pavol". www.pic-piestany.sk. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Zomrel spoluzakladateľ Bratislavskej lýry. Skladateľ a hudobník Zelenay mal 96 rokov". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 8 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Pesnička dňa: Pár nôt". Denník N (in Slovak). 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Bratislavskou lyru nejdřív opanoval Karel Gott. Později ho vystřídal Elán a slovenský pop". Plus (in Czech). 27 June 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Hudobný svet v slzách. Vo veku 96 rokov nás navždy opustil skladateľ a hudobník Pavol Zelenay". rtvs.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Composer and Musician Zelenay Dies at Age of 96". www.tasr.sk. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Zomrel zakladateľ Bratislavskej lýry, autor mnohých hitov Pavol Zelenay". Moja kultúra (in Slovak). 8 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
External links
edit- Pavol Zelenay discography at Discogs
- Pavol Zelenay at IMDb