Composer Zatsepin turned 100 years old

People's Artist of the Russian Federation, composer Alexander Zatsepin turns 100 on March 10. He is the author of hundreds of popular songs and music for cult films of Soviet cinema.

Zatsepin's music is also heard in the movie "Operation Y and Other Adventures of Shurik". Among his most famous works are "The Song about the Hares", "The Island of Bad Luck", "Where Childhood Goes" and "There is only a moment". These compositions have been performed by several generations of listeners.

"Even at the age of 100, you can live an interesting life if you are busy with something, if you have any interests in life," said Viktor Sineok, a correspondent for Izvestia.

One of the important stages in Zatsepin's career was his acquaintance with director Leonid Gaidai, for whose films he created music. The composer often experimented with sound and used unusual objects instead of traditional instruments, trying to achieve an expressive sound.

Colleagues note the uniqueness of his talent. Composer and People's Artist of Russia Alexey Rybnikov called Zatsepin a very modest man who was always demanding of his music. Composer Vladimir Dashkevich emphasized his inventiveness in working with sound, and singer Valeria admitted that Zatsepin's work greatly influenced her professional choice.

Zatsepin wrote music not only for movies. His works include ballets, symphonic works, and music for cartoons, including The Mystery of the Third Planet. His graduation work at the Alma Ata Conservatory was the ballet "Old Man Hottabych".

Despite the centenary, the composer continues to work on new projects, including musicals and symphonic works. He also advises viewers to pay attention not only to the plot of the films, but also to the music, which helps to reveal their content more deeply.

"I'll write as much music as I can."

Composer Alexander Zatsepin — about his centenary at the Bolshoi, Gaidai's eccentricity and Michael Jackson's gift

On June 12, 2025, Zatsepin invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to his 100th birthday party. The composer expressed the hope that in 2026 he will be able to write several musical works that will be performed in his future theater.

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