Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

France

Birth

:

December 12, 1950 in Le Cannet, France

Genre

:

Crossover

 

Richard Galliano is a French accordionist, composer, and arranger who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. He was born on December 12, 1950, in Cannes, France, to Italian parents. His father was an accordionist, and he introduced Richard to the instrument at a young age. Richard showed a natural talent for the accordion and began performing in public at the age of four. Galliano's musical education began at the Nice Conservatory, where he studied classical music and the accordion. He was a gifted student and won several awards for his performances. In 1966, at the age of 16, he won the World Accordion Championship in Spain, which marked the beginning of his professional career. In the early 1970s, Galliano moved to Paris, where he began to explore different styles of music. He played in jazz clubs and collaborated with musicians from various genres. He also began to compose his own music, which blended elements of classical, jazz, and world music. In 1983, Galliano released his first album, "Spleen," which was well-received by critics and audiences alike. The album showcased his unique style, which combined the traditional sound of the accordion with modern jazz and classical music. Over the next few years, he released several more albums, including "Blues sur Seine" and "New Musette," which further established him as a leading figure in the world of jazz and classical music. In 1991, Galliano was invited to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival, where he gave a memorable performance that earned him critical acclaim. He also began to collaborate with other musicians, including jazz pianist Michel Petrucciani and classical violinist Yo-Yo Ma. In 1993, Galliano released his most famous album, "Viaggio," which featured his compositions for accordion and string orchestra. The album was a commercial success and earned him several awards, including the Victoire de la Musique, the French equivalent of the Grammy Awards. Over the next few years, Galliano continued to tour and record, collaborating with musicians from around the world. He also composed music for films and television, including the soundtrack for the French film "The Singer." In 2006, Galliano released "Luz Negra," an album that paid tribute to the music of Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla. The album featured Galliano's arrangements of Piazzolla's music, as well as his own compositions inspired by the tango. The album was a critical and commercial success and earned Galliano another Victoire de la Musique award. In 2010, Galliano suffered a heart attack while performing in Brazil. He underwent surgery and took a break from performing to recover. However, he returned to the stage in 2011 and continued to tour and record. In 2014, Galliano released "Sentimentale," an album that featured his compositions for accordion and string quartet. The album was a departure from his previous work, focusing on more traditional and romantic themes. The album was well-received by critics and audiences alike and earned him another Victoire de la Musique award. Throughout his career, Galliano has been recognized for his contributions to the world of classical music. He has won several awards, including the Grand Prix de l'Académie Charles Cros and the Django Reinhardt Prize. He has also been awarded the title of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur, one of France's highest honors.

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