RIP: Vangelis, composer of the soundtracks to Bladerunner and Chariots of Fire, among others

[thewayne]

Vangelis Papathanassiou, Greek composer and keyboard artist, passed away at age 79 after a very long and productive career of scoring films and releasing amazing music. When it comes to electronic music, he was one of the top in his field, just absolutely amazing.

In his career he won one Oscar for Chariots of Fire, a CinEuphoria for his lifetime of work, a Ghent International Film award for Kavafis, a Thessoliniki Award for El Greco, and a curious pair of awards for Alexander: a Public Choice Award at the World Soundtrack Awards and a Most Intrusive Musical Score Award at the Stinkers Bad Movie Awards. And many, many more nominations.

A tremendous loss. He will certainly be missed.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vangelis-chariots-of-fire-composer-dead-at-79_n_6286af08e4b05cfc2689be39

Comments

[murakozi]

I've always liked his work. I've a few albums of his music on CD. Back in ancient times, I bought the soundtrack from Cosmos on cassette and played the heck out of it. Kinda wish it was still around to purchase in physical or digital form.

[thewayne]

Wow!  Yeah, I just looked on Amazon, that's a $30 CD!  So available, a little pricey.  Him and Jean Michael Jarre really defined ethereal music for me.

[mtbc]

A sad loss indeed. I first discovered him in high school in fairly randomly buying a compilation of his movie work from back then. I'm glad he got to live to a good age.

[thewayne]

Blade Runner was definitely my first exposure to him.  Then when I got more into classical music and expanded my purchasing of his albums, I got into Apocalypse of the Animals and such.  He left behind quite a collection.

[disneydream06]

WOW, a very talented guy. :o
Hugs, Jon

[silveradept]

That's unfortunate. Vangelis had a specific kind of sound and composition that not all that many film scores have moved in the direction of, much less tried to replicate, whether acoustically or electronically.

[thewayne]

He was certainly one of a kind, and his style was striking and evocative.