Vangelis
Biography
Best known for his lush, Oscar-winning score to the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, Vangelis was among the most successful and admired electronic composers of his era. Born Evangelos Odyssey Papathanassiou in Volos, Greece, on March 29, 1943, his nascent musical talent was recognized at an early age, but he refused to take piano lessons, instead teaching himself. After high school he formed the early-'60s pop group Formynx, soon the most popular act in Greece. After achieving superstardom at home, Vangelis relocated to Paris in 1968, and was in France at the time of the student riots; unable to go back home, he formed the progressive rock band Aphrodite's Child with fellow Greek expatriates Demis Roussos and Lucas Sideras, soon scoring a major European hit with the single "Rain and Tears."
After Aphrodite's Child disbanded in 1972, Vangelis joined French filmmaker Frederic Rossif to compose the scores for the features L'Apocalypse des Animaux and La Fete Sauvage; his proper solo debut, Earth, followed in 1974, around the time he was rumored to be joining Yes. Although Vangelis did rehearse with Yes for a few weeks, he never officially joined their ranks; still, he became close friends with group vocalist Jon Anderson, a frequent collaborator in the years to follow.
Selected Discography
Blade Runner - 25th Anniversary
2007
El Greco
1995
Blade Runner
1994
1492: Conquest Of Paradise
1992
Direct
1988
What about CHINA? or OPERA SAUVAGE? awesome stuff, gorgeous anthems. ONe day I will have to own everything, except Chariots of course. Of course, my luv for this composer has nothing to do with the movies, in fact, I rather forget about that detail so I can concentrate on the music alone. xoxoxox long life Vangelis.
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I'd like to see the soundtrack to "The Year of Living Dangerously" added to the lineup.
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My favorite of his albums is Heaven and Hell. He also did another album about the planet Mars. I can't remember the title of the album. there are some great soloists on it, like Mahalia Jackson.
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Vangelis is by far one of my most favorite artists. I can never get tired of him!
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He also scored the Mel Gibson version of Mutiny on the Bounty - talk about "lush"... but there was much controversy about an historical movie having a modern electronic soundtrack. The music can now only be found in a few pirate locations. Too bad - he captured the haunting beauty of Tahiti as well as the lonely vastness of the ocean. Only the opening and closing titles can be found on a "best of..." collection.
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Don't know if you realize this but Vangelis also wrote the music for the Carl Sagan program called Cosmos that ran in the late 60's or early 70's. I wish he would re-release this music again in the USA.
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Vangelis is world's best musician..of various movies soundtracks. His talents are the best and nobody can top his music. Only problem Vangelis has he is a studio musician he never likes to go in concert. Besides that he is still greatest musician of all time...
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Incredibly talented. His music reaches one's soul and make every cell of one's body vibrate with emotion.
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I was thieved away by a band of a** gypsies at the tender age of -3²
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A few artists could be singled out as having started a whole new trend in music. Vangelis made electronic music beautiful at a time when electronic music could best be described as "pop tarts".
Vangelis lovers should also enjoy a surprising unknown composer : Mars Lasar (again, weak selection on Pandora). Vangelis lovers would also enjoy Hans Zimmer, who is a true master of film scores. You should also check out Philip Glass. Listen to his "Low Symphony", with Brian Eno and David Bowie. |
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Try checking out a little-known and hard to get record called "See You Later" - 1981/82....I M O his masterwork.
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Please Pandora, add more of his albums. The Blade Runner soundtrack has to be one of the all time best film scores ever! Antarctica and City are both excellelent albums.
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The master of our time. In the class of Mozart, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff . With Anderson, an unmatched transformati v e musical experience for the heart connected ears.
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His best solo effort are the songs in this soundtrack, but if you want his best check out Themes. Also, not to be missed is his colaboration s with Jon Anderson, aptly named Jon and Vangelis. Avangard, techno, Jazz on a futuristic trip. Cool Stuff.
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Only a couple of his composition were introduced on Pandora!? , oh well there's always Itunes lol.
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Vangelis "Direct" Is Awsome, I first listined to it in 1991.
Check out pat matheny "Letter from home" CD, I thing That Vangelis Lovers Will Like it very much. |
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Wow, what a lame selection of his work! I agree with some other posters that _Oceanic_ is his best work. _Direct_ is a close second.
For me, though, Vangelis *IS* the reason I love electronic music. It was his music that was used in _Cosmos_ back in 1980 (when I was ten years old)--partic u l a r l y "Alpha" from _Albedo 0.39_--that got me interest in the genre. Now I have a ten-year-old (daughter) of my own, and SHE is really into electronic music. |
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when will people ever learn to not ruin the music by over analyzing?
why not just say, "magnificent " . . . rather than spending 5 hours on the perfect comment to look smart and act as if you yourself have any part in the creation of what you so hopelessly dissect. honestly, go write a novel if you expect anyone to care more about your emotions then the music itself. |
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When you consider all he's done; the different sounds, feelings and depths, you can only come away with a sense of his true genius and understandin g of what REAL music from the heart as well as soul is all about... There's talk of Enigma giving him kudos on his ability to capture music and feeling like no one else. I agree, but Enigma is in the same league in my book. Both are masters of what I consider music, art and emotion.
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When I listen to his music, I feel that I am right there in the music. It is incredible, I can breathe it, taste it and see it all there while the flow of sound just rolls through my head. It is so smooth yet filled with so much emotion.
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His enchanting music box master pieces envelop me in a warm, friendly, flame that fills my mind and soul with peace.
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Good question Atley. Vangelis has an extensive discography! He is truly
one of the greatest musical talents of the 20th and 21st century. |
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I was so taken in by his music, that I forgot what I was about to say.
That's a review unto itself. :D |
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I've been listening to Vangelis for over 15 years. His music can take you to another mood or another world. We are a privileged people to be able to bask in his musical waters. Thank You Vangelis
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His style of music takes you to that imaginary place that no one can disrupt. My "Happy Place"
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