{"id":129987,"date":"2022-05-19T12:47:52","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T17:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.synthtopia.com\/?p=129987"},"modified":"2022-05-19T18:37:09","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T23:37:09","slug":"pioneering-composer-synthesist-vangelis-dead-at-79","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.synthtopia.com\/content\/2022\/05\/19\/pioneering-composer-synthesist-vangelis-dead-at-79\/","title":{"rendered":"Pioneering Composer & Synthesist Vangelis Dead At 79"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Pioneering composer and synthesist Vangelis<\/strong> has died at the age of 79.<\/p>\n

According to a report<\/a> by The Guardian, Vangelis died Tuesday, May 17, in a hospital in France where he was being treated.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Vangelis (29 March 1943\u201317 May 2022) is one of the true icons of synthesis, reaching success in the worlds of rock, pop, film scoring and classical music. He was best known for his soundtracks to films like Chariots of Fire<\/strong> and Blade Runner<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Born Ev\u00e1ngelos Odyss\u00e9as Papathanass\u00edou<\/strong> in 1943, he got his start with the groups Forminx<\/strong> and Aphrodite’s Child<\/strong>. The Aphrodite’s Child album 666<\/strong> is notable as an epic and adventurous double-LP concept album.<\/p>\n

In the 70’s, Vangelis developed a style of real-time composing, using multiple keyboard, alongside percussion and acoustic instruments, to create full arrangements. Using this approach, Vangelis composed scores for a series of nature documentaries, including L’Apocalypse des Animaux<\/strong>, La F\u00eate Sauvage<\/strong> and Op\u00e9ra Sauvage<\/strong>. He also launched his solo career with the album Earth<\/strong>, the first of dozens of albums to follow.<\/p>\n

Vangelis achieved mainstream global success in the 80’s. His 1981 soundtrack to Chariots of Fire<\/strong> was unexpected and memorable, and not only did its theme reach number 1 on the US charts, but the soundtrack was awarded an Oscar.<\/p>\n