Michel Legrand

Michel Legrand was one of the most successful, critically acclaimed and prolific composers of the TV and film era. He won the 1968 “Best Original Song” Oscar for The Thomas Crown Affair‘s “The Windmills of Your Mind” (sung by Noel “Rex’s son” Harrison) and Best Original Score gongs for The Summer of ’42 and Yentl. He remained active right up until the end: he had gigs scheduled for next month, and only recently completed the score for Orson Welles’ long-delayed final movie The Other Side of the World. Fittingly, his unique pick comes from a team selecting still-active musicians.

Michel Legrand
24 February 1932 – 26 January 2019
Died aged 86 (unique pick)