The farewell to the distinguished composer took place at the National Philharmonic, as reported by a correspondent from Ukrinform.

Friends and colleagues of Igor Poklad, with whom he shared years of creative collaboration, gathered in the hall where his coffin was placed.

Ukrainian composer and People’s Artist of Ukraine Oleksandr Zlotnik considers Igor Poklad to be one of the finest melodists in Ukraine.

«His music is vibrant, memorable, and reaches the heart. Since the 1960s, he has created many masterpieces – his song «Beloved» with lyrics by Igor Barakh, and then collaborations with Yuriy Rybchynskyi, Oleksandr Vrataryov, Igor Lazarevskyi, Vadym Kryshchenko, and Mykhailo Tkach – our famous Ukrainian poets. His contribution to film and theater music is immense. He may be gone, but his music lives on and will continue to live. Poklad, who lived with music, died with music,» said the composer.

Renowned singer Pavlo Zibrov also regards Igor Poklad as an unparalleled melodist, describing his creative legacy as «the musical salt of the earth.»

«He is the musical salt of Ukrainian soil – the essence of Ukraine in his songs. He is an unmatched melodist, a rarity indeed. Unfortunately, titans like him are leaving us. However, he leaves behind so much, and I believe that young performers will start covering his songs and reinterpreting them. There is so much beauty, pride, and love in his works. This will pave the way forward based on Igor Poklad,» Zibrov stated.

People’s Artist, Hero of Ukraine, poet Yuriy Rybchynskyi met composer Igor Poklad back in 1966, marking the beginning of their legendary partnership in Ukrainian music. Over the years, they created numerous songs together, many of which became hits, including «Eyes on the Sand,» «Wild Geese,» «Charming Violin,» «Green Maple,» and «Quiet Water.»

«Regardless of how and when we worked together, we remained friends, and we never had a quarrel in all those years. We also shared a love for games – billiards, preference, chess, checkers. We were people of play (laughs). Igor often won, but I enjoyed his happiness when he did,» reminisced the poet.

According to his wife, Svitlana Poklad, her husband had two favorite songs - «Mom, the Evening is Dying Down» performed by Nina Matviyenko, and «Smile, My Destiny.» She also recalled his unrealized dream of staging his best work, the rock opera «King Herod.»

«The only thing I regret is not completing one project. He did not see his best work, the rock opera «King Herod.» He said, «Once I see it, I can die.» He passed away without seeing it,» Svitlana shared.

Although the Crimean Academic Ukrainian Music Theater fulfilled the composer’s dream by staging the rock opera «King Herod» in 2013, it hasn't been shown on any capital's stage.

«We hoped it would be performed on at least one stage in the capital, but unfortunately, it hasn't happened. However, I believe he will hear us from above. We will definitely realize this project, and I believe you will see it,» promised the composer’s wife.

As reported, composer Igor Poklad passed away at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness.

Igor Poklad was a Ukrainian composer and opera master, Hero of Ukraine, laureate of the Shevchenko Prize, and a prominent figure in the arts.