Paul Mauriat is a real treasure and pride of France. He proved himself as a composer, musician and talented conductor. Music has become the main childhood hobby of the young Frenchman. He extended his love of the classics into adulthood. Paul is one of the most famous French maestro of our time.
Childhood and youth Paul Mauriat
The composer's date of birth is March 4, 1925. He was born in Marseille (France). Paul's acquaintance with music happened at the age of three. Then the boy heard the melody on the radio and tried to play it on the piano.
Paul's parents were overjoyed. They noted that their child is drawn to music. The head of the family, together with the boy's mother, contributed to the musical development of his son.
Paul's first music teacher was his father. The head of the family was an ordinary worker, but this did not prevent him from playing music in his spare time. He skillfully played several musical instruments.
The father, who by the way had a good disposition, found the key to his son. Paul was looking forward to the lessons. It is his father that he calls the main "motivator" who inspired him to take up music professionally. The head of the family introduced Paul to the best examples of classical works. Six years of study were not in vain. A couple of months later, the guy performed on the stage of a variety show.
Paul Mauriat's admission to the conservatory
At the age of ten, he entered one of the conservatories in his city. Paul noted that entering an educational institution was not difficult for him. The teachers of the conservatory, in turn, noted the great talent of the guy.
After 4 years, Paul held a diploma of graduation. Note that the young man graduated with honors from the conservatory and as a teenager was already a professional in his field.
Around this period of time, jazz first "hit" his ears. It happened in one of the local Marseille clubs. The guy, as if spellbound, listened to the motives of the song, and suddenly realized that he wanted to work in this direction.
Paul Mauriat joined the jazz orchestra, but the first rehearsals showed that the guy did not have enough experience to work in this musical direction.
After that, he went to the capital of France for additional education. But already sitting on his suitcases, his plans changed dramatically. A war broke out, which forced the young man to stay in his hometown.
The creative path of the composer Paul Mauriat
Paul began his career in the classical direction. Already at the age of 17, the young man formed the first orchestra. It is interesting that the group included adult and experienced musicians who were suitable for Paul as fathers. The guys performed in clubs and cabarets, supporting the spirit of the inhabitants of the city of Marseille. World War II was in full swing in the courtyard, and, of course, the morale of the city's inhabitants left much to be desired.
The musicians of the orchestra "made" music that ideally mixed the best examples of classical and jazz works. At the end of the 50s of the last century, the team broke up. In 1957 Paul realized his dream. The young musician, composer and conductor went to the capital of France - Paris.
Upon arrival in Paris, he took a job as an accompanist and arranger. Soon he managed to conclude a contract with the prestigious recording studio Barclay. Paul managed to collaborate with established French pop stars. In the early 60s, the musician releases his first hit. Frank Pourcel took part in the recording of the work. We are talking about the composition Chariot.
In the early 70s, he became interested in the cinematographic field. Together with maestro Raymond Lefebvre, he worked on creating a number of songs for films. Some time later, he was seen in collaboration with M. Mathieu and A. Pascal. The musical work Mon credo, which Paul wrote for the performer, became an instant hit. In general, the composer composed five dozen diverse songs.
Formation of his own orchestra Paul Mauriat
His star quickly lit up. Every artist dreamed of such a rapid career development. By the age of 40, Paul again thought about forming his own team. At this time, beat groups were popular, orchestras, in turn, faded into the background.
But, small musical groups replaced each other one after another. Paul did not see "life" in them. At this stage, he did not know how to realize himself. After some time, he realized that he wanted to work as a conductor in his own group.
In the mid-60s, he assembled an orchestra, whose musicians performed soulful and lyrical music. Tickets for the maestro's concerts sold well. Paul got a second wind. He finally began to "live".
Music lovers warmly welcomed the newly minted orchestra led by the talented Paul Mauriat. Most of all, in the performance of the band's musicians, music lovers adored listening to pop songs, jazz, immortal classical works, instrumental versions of popular hits. The orchestra's repertoire included compositions that came from the pen of Paul Mauriat.
At the end of the 60s of the last century, an orchestral arrangement of the work Love is blue was performed at the international song contest Eurovision. The track took the first lines not only in the American charts. The composition has gained unheard of popularity around the world. The Moriah Orchestra was received with open arms in all corners of the planet.
For a long time, the team of the Field was considered international at all. The frequent change of musicians has definitely become a feature of the group. The orchestra included an unrealistic number of participants playing different musical instruments, while the team consisted of musicians of different nationalities.
At the end of the 90s of the last century, Moriah presented a new album to fans of his work. We are talking about a longplay with a sensitive name Romantic. It should be noted that the presented disc was the last studio album of the famous Frenchman's discography. Paul's orchestra after his death was led by a student of Gilles Gambus.
Details of the composer's personal life
Paul Mauriat has always been involved in music. For a long time, he stayed away from the fairer sex. The maestro joked that he had put his personal life on "pause".
But, one day, an acquaintance occurred that completely turned the life of a musician. A charming woman named Irene - took possession of Paul's thoughts. He quickly proposed to her.
In this union, the couple never had children. By the way, they did not suffer from this. The wife was always next to Moriah - she accompanied him on long tours and almost always attended his performances.
Their love story is truly romantic and unforgettable. Throughout his life, Paul remained faithful to Irene. She worked as an ordinary teacher, but at the request of her husband, she quit her job, becoming his muse. After Paul's death, the woman did not weave intrigues. She remained silent and rarely spoke to reporters.
Interesting facts about Paul Mauriat
- For 28 years he collaborated with the Philips record label.
- Almost every year, Paul Mauriat, together with his orchestra, played 50 concerts in Japan.
- In the USSR, music performed by the Paul Mauriat Orchestra was often heard on radio and television.
Death of Paul Mauriat
He passed away on November 3, 2006. The composer for several years struggled with a fatal disease - leukemia. His body was buried in the cemetery of Perpignan.
A few years later, the composer's widow announced that the Paul Mauriat Orchestra no longer existed. Groups that use her husband's name are impostors. Paul Mauriat's compositions can now be heard performed by other famous musicians. They perfectly convey the mood of the immortal works of the maestro.
