Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

October 22, 1905

Death

:

August 7, 1969

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Joseph Kosma was a Hungarian-French composer who is best known for his contributions to the world of classical music. Born on October 22, 1905, in Budapest, Hungary, Kosma was the son of a Jewish family. His father was a printer, and his mother was a seamstress. From a young age, Kosma showed a keen interest in music, and he began playing the piano at the age of six. Kosma's family moved to Vienna when he was a teenager, and it was there that he began to study music in earnest. He attended the Vienna Academy of Music, where he studied composition under the tutelage of Joseph Marx. Kosma was a gifted student, and he quickly made a name for himself in the Viennese music scene. In 1928, Kosma moved to Paris, where he began to work as a composer for the French film industry. It was during this time that he met the poet Jacques Prévert, with whom he would collaborate on many of his most famous works. Kosma and Prévert shared a love of the surreal and the absurd, and their collaborations often featured whimsical, dreamlike imagery. Kosma's first major success came in 1936, when he composed the music for the film "Les Bas-Fonds," directed by Jean Renoir. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Kosma's score was widely praised for its haunting melodies and evocative atmosphere. Over the next few years, Kosma continued to work in the film industry, composing music for a number of French and American films. In 1940, however, the German occupation of France forced Kosma to flee to the United States. He settled in Hollywood, where he continued to work as a composer for the film industry. Kosma's time in Hollywood was marked by a number of successes, including his work on the films "The Shop Around the Corner" and "The Big Street." However, he longed to return to France, and in 1945, he finally got his wish. He returned to Paris, where he resumed his collaborations with Jacques Prévert. Kosma's most famous work is undoubtedly the song "Les Feuilles Mortes," which he composed in 1945 with lyrics by Prévert. The song, which is known in English as "Autumn Leaves," has become a classic of the French chanson genre, and has been covered by countless artists over the years. In addition to his work in the film industry, Kosma also composed a number of classical works, including several ballets and operas. His most famous classical work is the "Symphonie en ut," which he composed in 1963. The symphony is a lush, romantic work that showcases Kosma's gift for melody and orchestration. Throughout his career, Kosma remained a beloved figure in the world of classical music. He was known for his warm personality and his generosity towards other musicians. He died on August 7, 1969, in La Roche-Guyon, France, at the age of 63. In conclusion, Joseph Kosma was a gifted composer who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His collaborations with Jacques Prévert produced some of the most beloved songs in the French chanson genre, and his work in the film industry helped to shape the sound of French cinema. Kosma's legacy continues to be felt today, and his music remains a testament to his talent and his enduring spirit.

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