Vangelis, the Greece-born composer, has died. He was 79.
The …
Vangelis, the Greece-born composer, has died. He was 79. The award-winning composer, born Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou, died at a French hospital in Paris, according to Greek media. A cause of death has not been released. Vaneglis produced an Oscar-winning score for “Chariots of Fire.” He also produced the score for “Blade Runner” in 1982. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other government officials expressed their condolences Thursday.
“Vangelis Papathanassiou is no longer among us”, Mitsotakis tweeted.
“For the whole world, the sad news states that the world music firm has lost the international Vangelis. The protagonist of electronic sound, the Oscars, the Myth and the great hits”, the tweet continued. The opening credits of “Chariots of Fire” roll as a bunch of young runners progress in slow motion across a glum beach in Scotland, as a lazy, beat-backed tune rises to a magisterial declamation. It’s one of the most instantly recognizable musical themes in cinema, and its standing in popular culture has only been confirmed by the host of spoofs it has sired.
