13 Facts About Michel Legrand

Michel Jean Legrand was a French musical composer, arranger, conductor, and jazz pianist.

Michel Legrand won his first Oscar for the song "The Windmills of Your Mind" from The Thomas Crown Affair, and additional Oscars for Summer of '42 and Barbra Streisand's Yentl.

Michel Legrand was born in Paris to his father, Raymond Michel Legrand, who was himself a conductor and composer, and his mother, Marcelle Ter-Mikaelian, who was the sister of conductor Jacques Helian.

Michel Legrand composed more than two hundred film and television scores.

Michel Legrand studied music at the Conservatoire de Paris from age 11, working with, among others, Nadia Boulanger and graduated with top honors as both a composer and a pianist.

Michel Legrand established his name in the United States by working with such jazz stars as Miles Davis and Stan Getz.

Michel Legrand's sister Christiane Legrand was a member of The Swingle Singers and his niece Victoria Legrand is a member of the dream pop band Beach House.

Michel Legrand composed music for Jacques Demy's films The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and The Young Girls of Rochefort, and appeared and performed in Agnes Varda's Cleo from 5 to 7.

Michel Legrand composed the score for Yentl, as well as the film score for Louis Malle's film Atlantic City.

Michel Legrand's funeral was held in Paris at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on 1 February 2019.

Michel Legrand remained active until his death and had concerts scheduled to take place in the spring.

In 1997, Michel Legrand composed the score for the musical Le Passe-muraille, with a book by Didier Van Cauwelaert.

Michel Legrand has won three Oscars, five Grammys, and was nominated for an Emmy.