One of the unforgettable composers of film music: Who is Vangelis?
The artist became famous in the world as the composer of the films 1492: Conquest of Paradise and Chariots of Fire. Vangelis also earned BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for the score of Ridley Scott's 1982 film Blade Runner.
World-famous Greek composer Vangelis (Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou) died in 2022 at the age of 79. The artist became famous in the world as the composer of the films 1492: Conquest of Paradise and Chariots of Fire.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the news of the musician's death via Twitter message. (May 20, 2022)
In his message, Mitsotakis said, "Vangelis Papathanassiou is no longer among us. The music world has lost the international (artist) Vangelis."
Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (29 March 1943 – 17 May 2022), known professionally as Vangelis, was a Greek musician, composer, and producer of electronic, progressive, ambient, and classical orchestral music. He composed the Academy Award-winning score to Chariots of Fire (1981), as well as for the films Blade Runner (1982), Missing (1982), Antarctica (1983), The Bounty (1984), 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992), and Alexander (2004), and the 1980 PBS documentary series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage by Carl Sagan.
Vangelis won the Oscar for Best Original Score in 1981 for the score of AChariots of Fire.
The artist also composed the music for the science fiction film Blade Runner.
American composer Austin Wintory also wrote in his Twitter message that Vangelis "completely changed the music of an era."
British musician Daniel Pemberton said Vangelis's "enormous influence on modern film scores is undeniable".
Vangelis' Chariots of Fire soundtrack was remembered for its scene of athletes running on the beach in St Andrews, Scotland, before the 1924 Olympics.
The composition, which went to number one on the music charts in the USA, was at the top of the charts again in England years later, with Mr Bean's performance at the opening of the 2012 London Olympics.
Vangelis also earned BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for the score of Ridley Scott's 1982 film Blade Runner.
Vangelis also composed the 2002 FIFA World Cup anthem.
Who is Vangelis?
Vangelis was born on March 29, 1943 in Volos, Greece. The artist started music at an early age and started composing at the age of 4. He did not receive any musical education and was self-taught.
Greek musician graduated from the painting department at the Athens Academy of Fine Arts.