Five-time GRAMMY-winning French composer and pianist Michel Legrand, known for his songs and scores in classic films including "The Windmills Of Your Mind" and "I Will Wait For You," has died at the age of 86.
Legrand died on Jan. 26, according to his official Facebook page. Throughout his career he also wrote and arranged music. He is remembered for his romantic style, both as a pianist and his scores. "He changed the meaning of music in films with his sense of rhythm and his absolute passion for life," the statement on Facebook said.
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Legrand worked with countless musicians, singers and musical icons, including Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, Liza Minnelli and Frank Sinatra, to name a few.
"I had the pleasure of first working with Michel in 1966 when he arranged my French album Je m’appelle Barbra, and we worked together many times since," Streisand tweeted. "He wrote the music for Yentl. His beautiful music will live on forever. I will treasure the memories I have of working with him."
Legrand was nominated for a GRAMMY 17 times and was awarded five in different categories: Best Instrumental Composition, Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) and Best Jazz Performance By A Big Band.
"The music and film industries have lost a legendary talent. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family, collaborators, and loved ones," Recording Academy President CEO Neil Portnow said in a statement.
He was also awarded three Academy Awards, one Golden Globe and was nominated for 13 Oscars.
Legrand was born in a suburb of Paris in 1932 to a family of "musical tradition" and was
"at home in any musical situation," according to his official website's biography. He entered the Paris Conservatory at the age of 10.
“Ever since I was a boy, my ambition has been to live completely surrounded by music. My dream is not to miss out anything. That's why I've never settled on one musical discipline," Legrand is quoted on his website. "I love playing, conducting, singing and writing, and in all styles. So I turn my hand to everything - not just a bit of everything. Quite the opposite. I do all these activities at once, seriously, sincerely and with deep commitment."
