Maurice Jarre was born on September 13th, 1924

Written by: Grace Lee

Maurice Jarre: The Maestro of Cinematic Soundscapes

Maurice Jarre, the renowned French composer and conductor, is best known for his iconic film scores that have left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. With a career spanning over four decades, Jarre's collaborations with acclaimed directors like David Lean, Alfred Hitchcock, and John Huston have resulted in some of the most memorable and award-winning soundtracks in film history.

Early Life and Career

Born on September 13, 1924, in Lyon, France, Jarre was the son of Gabrielle Renée Boullu and André Jarre, a radio technical director. Initially enrolled in the engineering school at the Sorbonne, Jarre's passion for music led him to pursue composition and harmony courses at the Conservatoire de Paris, where he majored in percussion.

Rise to Prominence

Jarre's breakthrough came with his score for the 1959 film Eyes Without a Face, which led to his collaboration with David Lean on Lawrence of Arabia (1962). This partnership would yield three Academy Awards for Best Original Score, with subsequent wins for Doctor Zhivago (1965) and A Passage to India (1984).

Awards and Accolades

Jarre's impressive repertoire earned him numerous accolades, including:

• Three Academy Awards for Best Original Score
• Three BAFTA Awards
• Four Golden Globe Awards
• A Grammy Award

Notable Collaborations and Scores

Jarre's collaborations with acclaimed directors resulted in some of the most iconic scores in film history, including:

• The Longest Day (1962) with Alfred Hitchcock
• The Train (1964) with John Frankenheimer
• The Collector (1965) with William Wyler
• Grand Prix (1966) with John Frankenheimer
• The Man Who Would Be King (1975) with John Huston
• Fatal Attraction (1987) with Adrian Lyne
• Dead Poets Society (1989) with Peter Weir

Personal Life and Legacy

Jarre was the father of musician Jean-Michel Jarre and the adopted father of screenwriter Kevin Jarre. His legacy extends beyond his film scores, with his music also charting on the UK singles chart, including the hit "Somewhere My Love" (Lara's Theme) from Doctor Zhivago.

Maurice Jarre's contribution to the world of cinema is immeasurable, and his iconic scores continue to evoke emotions and inspire generations of filmmakers and music lovers alike.

Trivia and Fun Facts

Did you know that:

• Jarre's score for Lawrence of Arabia was originally deemed too expensive to produce, but Lean fought to keep it in the film.
• He was nominated for an Academy Award for his score for The Message (1976), which was the first Arabic-language film to be nominated.

Maurice Jarre's legacy continues to be celebrated through his timeless music, inspiring a new generation of composers and filmmakers to create cinematic magic.