So much of his music has been with me for most of my life, that I feel it is part of my soul. He definitely found his place among the giants of film composers, and flawlessly crossed over to popular music with his A Man & A Woman, and Love Story. Some of my favourites are "13 Jours en France" and "Un Amour de Pluie" and Theme from Mayerling. There are too many to mention, obviously. He practically scored every genre of film (except Science Fiction ... correct me if I'm wrong on this.)
Just heard the sad news on the radio. Another giant has gone. Favourite scores include LE PASSAGER DE LA PLUIE, MADLY, LA COURSE DU LIEVRE A TRAVERS LES CHAMPS, to mention but a few. I met him once at his Parisian place in the 90's and can say he was a real gentleman. Even though he enjoyed so many "hits" thoughout his career (he used to say that a big hit came out every five year) he had remained a very simple and human person. He has been active up until the end. On the radio, they said he was indeed in the studio two weeks ago. RIP, Maestro.
About a week ago I went searching through my video library for 'something old', something I hadn't viewed in a while. I selected my dvd copy of 'Toute une Vie', ('And Now, My Love'), which I hadn't seen in maybe 15 years. This Claude Lelouche film was Oscar nominated in (I think), 1974, and it has one of my favorite Francis Lai scores attached to it. It was a surprise to see Francis Lai IN the actual film, portraying a music conductor in a dance hall. Mr. Lai's music was unlike anyone else's, a unique talent who will be missed!
Hi Dave, I actually saw Toute une Vie (1974) in Paris during the first week of it's release in 1974! I was with two friends from Ireland on holiday and we all loved the film and especially the music! It is still my favourite Francis Lai score and how sad that it has never been released properly i.e. without the dialogue! I bought the 2 LP Original Soundtrack release in a record store in Paris but afterwards gave it to my friend and his wife as a gift because we all cherished the memory of our visit so dearly. We also went to see Last Tango in Paris (1972) in a rep cinema that same week! Great memories indeed!
About a week ago I went searching through my video library for 'something old', something I hadn't viewed in a while. I selected my dvd copy of 'Toute une Vie', ('And Now, My Love'), which I hadn't seen in maybe 15 years. This Claude Lelouche film was Oscar nominated in (I think), 1974, and it has one of my favorite Francis Lai scores attached to it. It was a surprise to see Francis Lai IN the actual film, portraying a music conductor in a dance hall. Mr. Lai's music was unlike anyone else's, a unique talent who will be missed!
Hi Dave, I actually saw Toute une Vie (1974) in Paris during the first week of it's release in 1974! I was with two friends from Ireland on holiday and we all loved the film and especially the music! It is still my favourite Francis Lai score and how sad that it has never been released properly i.e. without the dialogue! I bought the 2 LP Original Soundtrack release in a record store in Paris but afterwards gave it to my friend and his wife as a gift because we all cherished the memory of our visit so dearly. We also went to see Last Tango in Paris (1972) in a rep cinema that same week! Great memories indeed!
JAMES! Thanks so much for posting this link, after hearing the gorgeous melody I longed for the original soundtrack (on c.d.), which I've never owned. I think even those who listen strictly to 'action scores', will hear the brilliance of Lai in this piece. NIALL FROM IRELAND: Thanks for the nostalgic memories of having seen it in Paris when the film opened. I saw it somwhere in L.A, I think on Whilshire. I as well had the original score album, in America it was a bright Blue cover, but that album went missing many years ago.
About a week ago I went searching through my video library for 'something old', something I hadn't viewed in a while. I selected my dvd copy of 'Toute une Vie', ('And Now, My Love'), which I hadn't seen in maybe 15 years. This Claude Lelouche film was Oscar nominated in (I think), 1974, and it has one of my favorite Francis Lai scores attached to it. It was a surprise to see Francis Lai IN the actual film, portraying a music conductor in a dance hall. Mr. Lai's music was unlike anyone else's, a unique talent who will be missed!
Hi Dave, I actually saw Toute une Vie (1974) in Paris during the first week of it's release in 1974! I was with two friends from Ireland on holiday and we all loved the film and especially the music! It is still my favourite Francis Lai score and how sad that it has never been released properly i.e. without the dialogue! I bought the 2 LP Original Soundtrack release in a record store in Paris but afterwards gave it to my friend and his wife as a gift because we all cherished the memory of our visit so dearly. We also went to see Last Tango in Paris (1972) in a rep cinema that same week! Great memories indeed!
JAMES! Thanks so much for posting this link, after hearing the gorgeous melody I longed for the original soundtrack (on c.d.), which I've never owned. I think even those who listen strictly to 'action scores', will hear the brilliance of Lai in this piece. NIALL FROM IRELAND: Thanks for the nostalgic memories of having seen it in Paris when the film opened. I saw it somwhere in L.A, I think on Whilshire. I as well had the original score album, in America it was a bright Blue cover, but that album went missing many years ago.
Too bad as this "score only" version is EXTREMELY rare.
I have the 2 CD one with all the dialog and Gilbert Bécaud songs.
I bought the Universal set primarily for House of Cards, but I was really impressed with The Berlin Game. I remember reading a very complimentary quote about Lai by Michel Legrand, praising Lai's ability to write 3-line music.
Mr. Lai was one of the composers who got me hooked on film score lps in the wayback times. I loved so many of his scores -- and also the movies for which he composed. A very sad day.
R.I.P. I am not so familiar with his work outside of a few scores, but he composed one of film music's finest ever tracks - Today It's You from A Man and a Woman.
R.I.P. I am not so familiar with his work outside of a few scores, but he composed one of film music's finest ever tracks - Today It's You from A Man and a Woman.
I love the way it was used in the sequel: A MAN AND A WOMAN: 20 YEARS LATER. It doesn't start until 2:38 minutes into this scene but the scene is worth watching from the beginning because it is one of the most spectacular filmed car chases for cinema. The orchestration is very similar but updated by the marvelous Christian Gaubert.
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-6151812-1412363102-7469.jpeg.jpg)
