Michel Legrand

Michel Legrand was a French composer, pianist, and conductor born in Paris in 1932. He studied piano early on with his father and later attended the Conservatoire de Paris. His work spanned film scores and popular songs, with pieces like 'Les Moulins De Mon Coeur' and 'La valse des lilas' among his notable compositions.

Legrand's breakthrough came with his score for the 1964 film 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg,' which featured 'Les Moulins De Mon Coeur' (later known as 'The Windmills of Your Mind'). This earned him his first Academy Award. He went on to compose scores for over 200 films, including 'Summer of '42,' 'Yentl,' and 'The Thomas Crown Affair,' receiving further Oscar nominations for these works.

Beyond film, Legrand released a range of recordings that showed his versatility across different musical settings. His output included both instrumental pieces and songs with vocals, maintaining a presence in French and international music circles through the latter half of the 20th century.