Michel Legrand

Michel Legrand

Born: February 24, 1932
Died: January 26, 2019
in Bécon-les-Bruyères, Paris, France
Michel Jean Legrand (24 February 1932 – 26 January 2019) was a French musical composer, arranger, conductor, and jazz pianist. Legrand was a prolific composer, having written over 200 film and television scores, in addition to many songs. His scores for the films of French New Wave director Jacques Demy, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) and The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967), earned Legrand his first Academy Award nominations. Legrand won his first Oscar for the song "The Windmills of Your Mind" from The Thomas Crown Affair (1968).

Legrand was born in Paris to his father, Raymond Legrand, who was himself a conductor and composer, and his mother, Marcelle Ter-Mikaëlian, who was the sister of conductor Jacques Hélian. Raymond and Marcelle were married in 1929. His maternal grandfather was Armenian.

Legrand composed more than two hundred film and television scores. He won three Oscars and five Grammys. He studied music at the Conservatoire de Paris from age 11, working with, among others, Nadia Boulanger and graduated with top honors as both a composer and a pianist. He burst upon the international music scene at 22 when his album I Love Paris (album) became a surprise hit. He established his name in the United States by working with such jazz stars as Miles Davis and Stan Getz. His sister Christiane Legrand was a member of The Swingle Singers and his niece Victoria Legrand is a member of the dream pop band Beach House.

Legrand composed music for Jacques Demy's films The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) and The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967), and appeared and performed in Agnès Varda's Cléo from 5 to 7 (1961). He also composed music for Joseph Losey's Eva (1962), The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) (which features "The Windmills of Your Mind"), Ice Station Zebra (1968), The Picasso Summer (1969), The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun (1970), The Go-Between (1971), Summer of '42 (1971), Clint Eastwood's Breezy (1973), The Three Musketeers (1973), Orson Welles's last-completed film F for Fake (1974) and would later compose the score for Welles's posthumously-released movie The Other Side of the Wind (2018). He also composed the score for Yentl (1983), as well as the film score for Louis Malle's film Atlantic City (1980). His instrumental version of the theme from Brian's Song charted 56th in 1972 on the Billboard's pop chart.

Legrand died of sepsis, during the night of 25–26 January 2019, at the American Hospital of Paris in Neuilly-sur-Seine, where he had been hospitalized for two weeks for a pulmonary infection. His funeral was held in Paris at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on 1 February 2019. He was interred at the Père Lachaise Cemetery. He remained active until his death and had concerts scheduled to take place in the spring.

In 1997, Legrand composed the score for the musical Le Passe-muraille, with a book by Didier Van Cauwelaert. It premiered on Broadway in 2002 as Amour and was translated into English by Jeremy Sams and was directed by James Lapine. This musical was his Broadway debut and he was nominated for a Tony Award in 2003 for Best Score. Later he recorded Legrand Affair with Melissa Errico, a 100-piece symphony orchestra that included songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. ...

Source: Article "Michel Legrand" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Movies for Michel Legrand...

Once Upon a Time Michel Legrand
Title: Once Upon a Time Michel Legrand
Released: May 15, 2024
Type: Movie
Michel Legrand, jazz musician and composer extraordinaire, has left his mark on the history of cinema, including the films of Jacques Demy, especially The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, the 60th anniversary of which is being celebrated in Cannes. Using never-before-seen archives and personal accounts, the film looks back on a lifetime dedicated to music, and the career of a man who served it masterfully to the very end.
bee
Title: Il était une fois Champs-Élysées
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: December 21, 2022
Type: TV
bee
Dans les pas de Jean-Paul Rappeneau
Title: Dans les pas de Jean-Paul Rappeneau
Character: Self
Released: March 24, 2022
Type: Movie
bee
Hommage à Michel Legrand et Jacques Demy au festival Sœurs Jumelles
Title: Hommage à Michel Legrand et Jacques Demy au festival Sœurs Jumelles
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: August 16, 2021
Type: Movie
bee
Michel Legrand, sans demi-mesure
Title: Michel Legrand, sans demi-mesure
Character: Self
Released: December 25, 2018
Type: Movie
This documentary recounts the life of the late composer Michel Legrand, known for his works on Les Parapluies de Cherbourg or Les Demoiselles De Rochefort with the famous director Jacques Demy.
bee
La La La
Title: La La La
Character: Self - Music Composer
Released: November 25, 2018
Type: Movie
When the silent cinema learned to speak, the audience was surprised not only by the voices of the actors and the sound effects, but also by a new element, the music, which, combined with the dance and an unprejudiced imagination, gave rise to a new genre, as important to Hollywood cinema as the western was: the musical. A journey through the history of this genre, from its beginnings to the present day.
bee
A Final Cut for Orson: 40 Years in the Making
Title: A Final Cut for Orson: 40 Years in the Making
Character: Self - Composer
Released: September 1, 2018
Type: Movie
A glimpse behind the scenes into the complicated process of recovering and completing Orson Welles' final film The Other Side of the Wind.
bee
Françoise Dorléac, une promesse
Title: Françoise Dorléac, une promesse
Character: Self
Released: July 10, 2018
Type: Movie
A portray of French actress Françoise Dorléac
bee
Love Lasts Three Years
Title: Love Lasts Three Years
Character: Michel Legrand
Released: December 10, 2011
Type: Movie
A heartbroken literary critic turns his despair into creativity following a bitter divorce, only to encounter an enchanting beauty who poses a major challenge to his newfound cynicism. Marc Marronnier thought his marriage was going well until his wife deemed him immature, and left him for a high-profile writer. Devastated, he began filtering all of his heartache into a misanthropic manuscript decrying the virtues of true love. But later, when Marc falls hard for his cousin's radiant and gorgeous wife, his entire life is turned upside down. Louise Bourgoin and Gaspard Proust star in a film by actor and author-turned-director Frederic Beigbeder.
bee
Once Upon a Time... The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Title: Once Upon a Time... The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Character: Self
Released: May 18, 2008
Type: Movie
Television documentary about the making of Jacques Demy's 1964 film "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg".
bee
Callas Assoluta
Title: Callas Assoluta
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: December 20, 2007
Type: Movie
This revealing documentary from director Philippe Kohly examines the storied life of renowned soprano Maria Callas, from her troubled childhood in New York City to her scandal-laden but triumphant international career in opera. Featuring archival interviews with Callas herself and footage of contemporaries such as her lover Aristotle Onassis, this celebration of "La Divina" pays tribute to her enduring legacy some three decades after her death.
bee
Title: Un film et son époque
Character: Self
Released: May 17, 2003
Type: TV
bee
Title: Vivement dimanche
Character: Self
Released: September 20, 1998
Type: TV
bee
The World of Jacques Demy
Title: The World of Jacques Demy
Character: Self
Released: September 22, 1995
Type: Movie
Agnès Varda's documentary portrait of her late husband, Jacques Demy. A companion piece to her Jacquot de Nantes.
bee
The Young Girls Turn 25
Title: The Young Girls Turn 25
Character: Self
Released: May 19, 1993
Type: Movie
Agnes Varda's documentary of the celebrations arising from the 25th anniversary of her husband Jacques Demy's film The Young Girls of Rochefort.
bee
Title: Nulle part ailleurs
Character: Self
Released: August 31, 1987
Type: TV
bee
Title: Victoires de la musique
Character: Self (Variety/Instrumental Album of the Year)
Released: November 23, 1985
Type: TV
bee
Title: Champs-Elysées
Character: Self - Main Guest
Released: January 16, 1982
Type: TV
bee
Title: Champs-Elysées
Character: Self
Released: January 16, 1982
Type: TV
bee
Title: 30 millions d'amis
Character: Self
Released: January 6, 1976
Type: TV
bee
Ann-Margret Smith
Title: Ann-Margret Smith
Character: Himself
Released: November 20, 1975
Type: Movie
Book-ending the year 1975 with two big budget TV Specials, Ann -Margret also earned her second Oscar nomination that year, for Tommy. In January, "Ann-Margret Olssen" premiered and was titled with the star's maiden name. This second special premiered late in the year and was titled with the star's married name. Her husband Roger Smith also appears in the opening sequences. Presented by the Bell System's Family Theatre, the program was filmed at the ATV Studios at BBC Elstree Centre, Borehamwood, England.
bee
Title: Numéro un
Character: Self
Released: April 5, 1975
Type: TV
A French variety show.
bee
Title: Système 2
Character: Self
Released: January 19, 1975
Type: TV
bee
Title: Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Character: Self
Released: January 12, 1975
Type: TV
A talk show presented by Michel Drucker
bee
Title: Spécial cinéma
Character: Self
Released: September 25, 1974
Type: TV
bee
Title: ABC Afterschool Special
Released: October 4, 1972
Type: TV
Dramatically presented situations, often controversial, of interest to children and teenagers. Several episodes were either in animated form or presented as documentaries. Topics included illiteracy, substance abuse and teenage pregnancy.
bee
A Time for Loving
Title: A Time for Loving
Character: Grondin
Released: April 1, 1972
Type: Movie
The story of an apartment in Paris and the various people that occupy it over the years.
bee
Title: Le Grand Échiquier
Character: Self - Guest
Released: January 12, 1972
Type: TV
bee
Title: Le Grand Échiquier
Character: Self - Main Guest
Released: January 12, 1972
Type: TV
bee
Title: Le Grand Échiquier
Character: Self
Released: January 12, 1972
Type: TV
bee
Title: Samedi soir
Character: Self
Released: January 9, 1971
Type: TV
bee
L’or et le plomb
Title: L’or et le plomb
Character: Le musicien
Released: March 16, 1966
Type: Movie
The story is based on Voltaire's tale "Le monde comme il va" ("The world as it is"). Sent by the genie who presides over the destiny of Persepolis (Paris!), the Scythian Babouc carefully informs himself of everything, to tell the genie whether or not to destroy the city. This is the pretext for a series of interviews, scenes taken on the spot or reconstructed in the studio. We meet a musician who lives for his art and a Marxist historian, both of them optimists in the end; but also a war widow and an economically weak old lady: while the "fureur de vivre" gives free rein to the Golf Drouot and socialites hide their turpitudes behind a façade of good manners. A large, poorly housed family bravely faces up to its fate, and the children are happy; a working-class household talks about the union struggle, inhumane working conditions and reasons for hope. Finally, a poet sums it all up by talking about his commitment to the service of mankind.
bee
Title: Behind the Screen
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1966
Type: TV
Belgian television series about the making of The Young Girls of Rochefort.
bee
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Title: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Character: Jean (singing voice) (uncredited)
Released: February 19, 1964
Type: Movie
This simple romantic tragedy begins in 1957. Guy Foucher, a 20-year-old French auto mechanic, has fallen in love with 17-year-old Geneviève Emery, an employee in her widowed mother's chic but financially embattled umbrella shop. On the evening before Guy is to leave for a two-year tour of combat in Algeria, he and Geneviève make love. She becomes pregnant and must choose between waiting for Guy's return or accepting an offer of marriage from a wealthy diamond merchant.
bee
Title: The Danny Kaye Show
Character: Self
Released: September 25, 1963
Type: TV
The Danny Kaye Show is an American variety show hosted by Danny Kaye that aired on CBS from 1963 to 1967 on Wednesday nights. Directed by Robert Scheerer, the show premiered in black-and-white, but later switched to color broadcasts. At the time, Kaye was at the height of his popularity, having starred in a string of successful films in the 1940s and '50's, made successful personal appearances at such venues as the London Palladium, and appeared many times on television. His most recent films had been considered disappointing, but the television specials he starred in were triumphant, leading to this series. Prior to his television and film career, Kaye had made a name for himself with his own radio show, and numerous other guest appearances on other shows.
bee
Cléo from 5 to 7
Title: Cléo from 5 to 7
Character: Bob, the Pianist
Released: April 11, 1962
Type: Movie
Agnès Varda eloquently captures Paris in the sixties with this real-time portrait of a singer set adrift in the city as she awaits test results of a biopsy. A chronicle of the minutes of one woman’s life, Cléo from 5 to 7 is a spirited mix of vivid vérité and melodrama, featuring a score by Michel Legrand and cameos by Jean-Luc Godard and Anna Karina.
bee
Title: Discorama
Character: Self
Released: February 4, 1959
Type: TV
bee
Title: Tony Awards
Character: Self - Nominee
Released: April 1, 1956
Type: TV
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway productions and performances, and an award is given for regional theatre.
bee
Title: Cinépanorama
Character: Self
Released: February 4, 1956
Type: TV
bee
Title: The Oscars
Character: Self
Released: March 19, 1953
Type: TV
An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a statuette, officially the Academy Award of Merit, that is better known by its nickname Oscar.
bee
Her Last Christmas
Title: Her Last Christmas
Character: Le chef d'orchestre (uncredited)
Released: December 12, 1952
Type: Movie
A very ill little girl having expressed the wish to live until Christmas, the whole neighborhood agrees to anticipate the celebration.