It is with a sad heart that we bid farewell to Czilika György, the last great fiddler in the Czilika musical dynasty, who, through his Țara Călatei music, had selflessly served many dancers and musician worldwide. In the 63rd year of his life, after a patiently borne illness, he moved on to join his many good friends in the heavenly ensemble. We shall accompany him on his final journey to the cemetery in Aghireș on 5 March 2021 from 13:00. We cherish his memory in our hearts!
Czilika György (Gyuszi), first fiddler from Țara Călatei
Born: Băgara, 27 October 1958.
Died: Aghireș, 3 March 2021.
The last great fiddler in the Czilika musical dynasty from Băgara.
His father György died in 1964, so his uncles, Boros Samu and Czilika János, took him under their wing as a musician. His skills were honed by them as well as his brothers, Czilika Ödön and Béla, with whom they also took on many events. After the regime change, when his uncles died, he would also often play with Fodor Sándor “Neti”. From 1990, he, too, became one of the popular fiddlers of the Táncház movement, and besides touring, he often worked as tradition bearer and music teacher at the Țara Călatei Folk Music and Folk Dance Camp.
The regions where they permanently played weddings, balls and christenings: Viștea, Turea, Băgara, Dorolțu and Inucu.
His music can be heard on the following audio releases:
Váralmási Pici Aladár and his ensemble. Folk Music from Țara Călatei, Fonó Records, 1998., 2017.
Turea. Live Folk Music from Țara Călatei. Yelow Studio, Budapest, 2000.
Another recommended audio publication for his oeuvre:
The Czilika Band from Băgara, Ed. Pávai István, Hungarian Heritage House, 2005.
Recommended recordings made with him: