Vangelis
Greek composer known for electronic film scores and solo albums.
Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou, known professionally as Vangelis, was a Greek composer, arranger, performer, and record producer. Over a career spanning more than 50 years, he composed and performed over 50 albums, becoming a significant figure in electronic music and modern film music.
- field
- Composer, arranger, performer, record producer
- nationality
- Greek
Lore & Background
Vangelis was born in Agria and raised in Athens. He settled in Paris and gained initial recognition for his scores to Frédéric Rossif animal documentaries.
Reader's Guide
Vangelis reached his commercial peak in the 1980s and 1990s. Vangelis used many electronic instruments in the fashion of a 'one-man quasi-classical orchestra,' composing and performing on the first take, and never learned to read or write music.
Did You Know?
- Vangelis never learned to read or write music, instead playing from memory.
- He collaborated with NASA and ESA on the music projects Mythodea, Rosetta, and Juno to Jupiter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre does Vangelis belong to?
Vangelis is most commonly categorized as an electronic and experimental artist, though his catalog also encompasses progressive rock, ambient, and classical orchestral pieces. His early band Aegean was a landmark in Greek progressive rock before he shifted toward solo electronic and film-composition work.
More in Electronic & Experimental 1-20
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