Date of Birth: February 24, 1932
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: January 26, 2019
Biography
Michel Legrand was a prolific French composer, conductor, and pianist born on February 24, 1932, in Bécon-les-Bruyères, France. He is renowned for his work in film and television scores, contributing music to over 200 films and television series throughout his career. Legrand was a versatile musician, masterfully blending jazz, classical, and pop influences into his compositions. Legrand’s career took off in the 1950s, and he gained international fame with the score for Jacques Demy’s 1964 film “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg,” which earned him his first Academy Award nomination. He would go on to win three Oscars for his work on “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1968), “Summer of ’42” (1971), and “Yentl” (1983). Beyond film scores, Legrand also released numerous albums and collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Miles Davis, Ray Charles, and Barbra Streisand. His contributions to music were recognized with numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards. Michel Legrand passed away on January 26, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music that continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
5 Interesting Facts about Michel Legrand
1. Michel Legrand was a child prodigy who entered the Paris Conservatory at age 11.
2. He composed the music for the 1968 classic “The Thomas Crown Affair,” which featured the hit song “The Windmills of Your Mind.”
3. Legrand worked with French New Wave directors such as Jean-Luc Godard and Agnès Varda.
4. He won his first Oscar for Best Original Song with “The Windmills of Your Mind” from “The Thomas Crown Affair.”
5. Legrand was also a talented jazz musician, having performed at major jazz festivals and recorded with legendary artists.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Michel Legrand
1. “Music is a continuum and the modern and avant-garde composers of today will be part of the standard repertoire 30 years from now.”
2. “My ambition is to live like music.”
3. “The difference between a good film and a bad film is the music.”
4. “I’ve been very lucky to be able to do so many things in my life.”
5. “Writing is a necessity for me, a need to express myself, and it’s also a discipline.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Michel Legrand’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Michel Legrand had three children: Dominique Legrand, Eugénie Legrand, and Benjamin Legrand.
Relevant Links
1. [Michel Legrand IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006164/
2. [Michel Legrand on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Legrand
3. [Michel Legrand official website](http://www.michellegrandofficial.com/
5. [Michel Legrand discography on Discogs](https://www.discogs.com/artist/63421-Michel-Legrand
