The Maestro, like most people called him, would never have a problem telling a singer-wannabe that their singing was out of tune, but also would never discourage them by saying they were good for nothing. He was convinced that there was plenty of talent in Bulgaria.

Except for being a brilliant conductor, pianist and composer, most people would remember him for his, at times, outrageous and refreshing sense of humour.

Television audiences had a chance to enjoy his wisecracks just recently when the Maestro presided over the Music Idol jury. The one that comes to mind is his comment after winner Toma Zdravkov performed interacting on stage with sexy dancers.

"Well… that was good, I liked it," the Maestro remarked. "But among those beauties, I was surprised that you were able to sing at all…"

Vili Kazasian died July 12 in Sofia. He was 73.

It has been widely accepted that Kazasian had significantly influenced Bulgarian popular music since the beginning of the 1960s.

While studying textile engineering, Kazasian began playing the piano in a jazz formation called Jazz of the Young. Because music has always been his passion, the Maestro would later say, however, he did not want to disappoint his parents who wanted him to have a "serious" profession.

When the Big Band of the Bulgarian National Radio was formed in 1960, Kazasian first began his career there as a pianist, and then close to 40 years was its conductor.

The Maestro helped with the launching of the highly anticipated at the time international popular music festival Златният Орфей (The Golden Orpheus), which was held from 1965 to 1999 at the Sunny Beach resort.

To his credit, Kazasian had film music, instrumental pieces as well as television and radio musicals.

"Vili is gone now… an era and a whole universe is gone with him," Bogdana Karadocheva, a prominent Bulgarian pop-music singer, said as quoted by bgnes.bg. She called him the most loyal of friends, the most wonderful professional and an aristocrat.

Karadocheva's words somewhat echoed in how the Maestro had referred to himself in an interview conducted by website e-vestnik.bg last year. "My good side is that I'm cool and easy-going. The people I meet at first seem surprised, because they think that I am as proud as a peacock, which I am not. I have a sense of humour that helps me escape reality's ugliness."