Vangelis

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Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou (Greek: Ευάγγελος Οδυσσέας Παπαθανασίου [eˈvaɲɟelos oðiˈseas papaθanaˈsi.u]; 29 March 1943 – 17 May 2022), known professionally as Vangelis (/væŋˈɡɛlɪs/ vang-GHEL-iss; Greek: Βαγγέλης [vaɲˈɟelis]), was a Greek musician and composer. His music was electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, and orchestral.[1] He was best known for his Academy Award-winning score to Chariots of Fire (1981), as well as for composing scores to the movies Blade Runner (1982), Missing (1982), Antarctica (1983), The Bounty (1984), 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992), and Alexander (2004).

He also composed music for documentaries such as Cosmos: A Personal Voyage by Carl Sagan.[1] He was born in Agria, Hellenic State (present-day Agria, Greece). His career began in 1963.

Vangelis died on 17 May 2022 at a hospital in Paris, France from heart failure while receiving treatment for COVID-19, aged 79.[2][3]

Influences[change | change source]

Vangelis stated composers like Hans Stockhausen, Delia Derbyshire, Michel Legrand, Klaus Schulze, Soft Machine, Brian Eno, Jerry Goldsmith, Morton Subotnick, Max Corbacho and Neu! as influences.

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Thomas S. Hischak (2015). The Encyclopedia of Film Composers. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 386–388. ISBN 9781442245501.
  2. Mackenzie, James; Tagaris, Karolina (19 May 2022). "Vangelis, composer of 'Chariots of Fire' score, dies at 79". National Post. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  3. Vangelis Papathanasiou: Oscar-winning composer passes away at the age of 79