Francis Lai, composer of the music of A man and a woman, is dead



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The French musician died at the age of 86. He became famous in 1966 with the soundtrack of the film A man and a woman, of Claude Lelouch.

Of this discreet man, who had erased from public life, we remember the melodies he has signed. For the cinema, of course, but also for many singers. Francis Lai died at the age of 86. It was Christian Estrosi, mayor of his hometown, Nice, who announced it, adding: "I will soon propose to his family to give his name to an emblematic place of our city".

It was with Claude Lelouch that this son of horticulturist had approached the music of film, since 1965. The two men had met through Pierre Barouh, himself a musician. With the latter, Lai had composed some songs, including Love is much stronger than we. A theme that Lelouch liked so much that he asked to be able to use it for his next movie. This film will be A man and a woman. This feature film which gave a great place to the music, was going to reveal the three men. For Francis Lai, it was the beginning of a dazzling career. Four years after the release of Chabadabada, the Nice won the Grail: an Oscar. Awarded to Hollywood for his work on the movie Love Story, in 1970. Subsequently, he returned to compose for his favorite director, signing no less than 33 scores for the film Claude Lelouch. "He tells me the story in such detail that I can see the pictures. In the end, it leaves a lot more freedom, "he explained.

One of the most beautiful alliances between filmmaker and composer

Like the Nino Rota-Federico Fellini, Ennio Morricone-Sergio Leone and Michel Legrand-Jacques Demy duos, it was with the director of Itinéraire de un spoiled child that he formed one of the most beautiful alliances between filmmaker and composer. "It was with him that I had the greatest complicity," he said willingly. He still found time to work with many other directors. Claude Zidi, Henri Verneuil, René Clément, Dino Risi, Philippe de Broca and Georges Lautner appealed to his services.

Francis Lai loved the song format and lamented not being more devoted to it. His greatest success in the field remains A bicycle, which had been the joy of Yves Montand, on the words of the unflinching friend Pierre Barouh. He had composed for many singers. We remember Nicole Croisille, her favorite performer. But it was also sung by Edith Piaf, Mireille Mathieu, Isabelle Aubret, Petula Clark or Jacqueline Dulac. He often worked with Quebec performers Fabienne Thibeault, Ginette Reno, Nicole Martin and Martine Chevrier. In addition, he had composed the FR3 television channel for its launch in 1974. It had been an opportunity for him to focus on electronic instruments: Martenot waves, badog synths, electronic accordions.

In April 2016, the fiftieth anniversary of the registration ofA man and a woman had been celebrated by the release of an anthology of his works in 7 CDs. A priceless legacy for a musician who until the end remained in love with melodies.

»SEE ALSO – The 6 pieces of Francis Lai who became cults

The 6 pieces of Francis Lai that became cult – Watch on Figaro Live

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