Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou, known professionally as Vangelis (March 29, 1943 – May 17, 2022), was a Greek composer and multi-instrumentalist renowned for his pioneering work in electronic, ambient, and orchestral music.
Born in Agria, Greece, Vangelis displayed musical talent from a young age, mastering the piano, organ, and synthesizers without formal training. His career began in the 1960s as a member of the pop bands The Forminx and Aphrodite’s Child, but he soon ventured into a solo career, blending classical influences with innovative electronic sounds.
Vangelis gained international fame for his Academy Award-winning score for Chariots of Fire (1981), a soundtrack that became iconic for its emotive, minimalist style.
His work extended to other acclaimed film scores, including Blade Runner (1982), Antarctica (1983), and 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992), each showcasing his ability to evoke atmosphere and emotion through music. Beyond cinema, Vangelis released numerous solo albums, such as Heaven and Hell (1975) and Albedo 0.39 (1976), which explored cosmic and philosophical themes.
A private and enigmatic figure, Vangelis worked from his Paris and Athens studios, collaborating with artists like Jon Anderson of Yes. His legacy endures as a visionary who bridged technology and artistry, leaving an indelible mark on modern music.
24 recordings of Vangelis you can hear at Instrumentals Forever:
Abraham’s Theme • Bitter Moon • Chariots Of Fire • Chromatique • Conquest Of Paradise • Eric’s Theme • Eternity • Five Circles • Hymne • Irlande • La Petite Fille De La Mer • Light And Shadow • Love Theme From “Blade Runner” • Memories Of Blue • Missing • Monastery Of La Rabida • Mouettes • Pinta, Nina, Santa Maria (Into Eternity) • Pulstar • Rachel’s Song • Tears In Rain • Theme From Antartica • To the Unknown Man • Twenty Eighth Parallel •
