Vangelis is a Greek composer and performer, who works mostly with electronic instruments (although the genres he works with includes electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, and orchestral music).
About Vangelis
Vangelis is known for his amazing works in electronic music, blended with orchestral style; his music is so powerful yet melodic. Vangelis’ most popular compositions include his Chariots of Fire (1981), Blade Runner (1982) and the tracks he used in the Cosmos (1980) television series.
His real name is Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou.
First Brush With Synthesizers
Vangelis says, back then, CORG, ROLAND, YAMAHA, OBERHEIM, ARP created synthesizers. MINI MOOG was the most fashionable. He says before these brands came up, there were two synthesizers, the AUDIOLINE and the CLAVIOLINE, that were quite advanced for their times (AUDIOLINE had a touch respond keyboard).
Vangelis first got introduced to Synthesizers in around 1973-1974 when he was given to try a couple of “CORG” monophonic synthesizers and immediately he felt the whole world to open in front of him. Although they were very basic, Vangelis immediately imagined what will follow in the future.
There are many who feel that synthesizers are not natural instruments and different from other acoustic musical instrments, just because they need electricity to produce sounds? I consider myself very fortunate, to live in a century that science and technology offer more ways to extend the needs of music. I believe strongly, trying to separate these two sources, it would be a big mistake.
For me, a sound is a sound no matter where it comes from. To put labels and to separate the acoustic sounds-as wrongly they have been called- and the synthesizers, is a big mistake.
Impressed With Yamaha CS-80 Synthesizer
Vangelis was mighty impressed with the Yamaha CS-80. He says it was the first synthesizer that gave him the possibility to express things that he couldn’t express with other synthesizers back then.
Vangelis: Popular Music & Songs
Here are some more masterpieces, composed by the legendary composer.
Initially, I felt fame to be a serious obstacle to creativity. Don’t you see that creativity is the fruit of freedom while fame is a result of a social system and fashion? Although it’s not easy, I chose creativity.
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