# Maurice Jarre

> French composer and conductor (1924-2009)

**Wikidata**: [Q105487](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105487)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Jarre)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maurice-jarre

## Summary
Maurice Jarre was a French composer and conductor renowned for his influential film scores, including for *Doctor Zhivago* and *Lawrence of Arabia*. He was one of the most celebrated film score composers of the 20th century, shaping the sound of cinema through his emotionally resonant and thematically rich musical works.

## Biography
- Born: September 13, 1924
- Nationality: France
- Education: Conservatoire de Paris, University of Paris
- Known for: Composing iconic film scores, including *Doctor Zhivago*, *Lawrence of Arabia*, and *The Man Who Would Be King*
- Employer(s): MGM Records, Varèse Sarabande, Milan Records, Barclay Records
- Field(s): Film score composition, conducting, orchestral music

## Contributions
Maurice Jarre composed some of the most memorable and critically acclaimed film scores in cinema history:
- *Doctor Zhivago* (1965) – Introduced "Lara's Theme," a globally recognized melody.
- *Lawrence of Arabia* (1962) – Score that elevated the epic scale of the film.
- *The Man Who Would Be King* (1975) – Demonstrated his ability to blend orchestral and ethnic influences.
He also worked with major record labels such as:
- MGM Records
- Varèse Sarabande
- Milan Records
- Barclay Records
His compositions were widely distributed and performed by leading orchestras, contributing to the golden age of film scoring.

## FAQs
**What are some of Maurice Jarre's most famous film scores?**  
Maurice Jarre is best known for his scores for *Doctor Zhivago*, *Lawrence of Arabia*, and *The Man Who Would Be King*. These works are considered among the greatest in film music history.

**Which record labels did Maurice Jarre work with?**  
He collaborated with major record labels including MGM Records, Varèse Sarabande, Milan Records, and Barclay Records, which released many of his film scores.

**Where did Maurice Jarre receive his education?**  
He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris and the University of Paris, where he developed his foundational skills in composition and conducting.

**What awards did Maurice Jarre win?**  
Maurice Jarre won three Academy Awards for Best Original Score for *Doctor Zhivago* (1965), *Lawrence of Arabia* (1962), and *The Man Who Would Be King* (1975). He also received Golden Globe and Grammy Awards.

**What genres did Maurice Jarre compose in?**  
He primarily composed orchestral and cinematic music, focusing on film scores that blended Western classical traditions with global musical influences.

## Why They Matter
Maurice Jarre redefined the role of music in cinema by crafting emotionally powerful and thematically rich scores that became iconic. His work influenced generations of film composers and elevated the narrative power of film music. Without his contributions, the emotional depth and cultural impact of films like *Doctor Zhivago* and *Lawrence of Arabia* would be significantly diminished.

## Notable For
- Three-time Academy Award winner for Best Original Score
- Composer of "Lara's Theme" from *Doctor Zhivago*
- Pioneer of the "golden age" of film scoring
- Collaborator with major directors including David Lean
- Work with international record labels such as MGM and Varèse Sarabande
- Recipient of the Golden Globe, Grammy, and BAFTA awards
- Inductee on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Officer of the Legion of Honour in France
- Composer for over 100 films and television projects

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Maurice Antoine Alexis Jarre was born on September 13, 1924, in Lyon, France. He pursued formal musical training at two of France's most prestigious institutions:
- Conservatoire de Paris – Specialized in composition and conducting.
- University of Paris – Provided broader academic and theoretical grounding.

His early education laid the foundation for a career that would bridge classical music and cinematic storytelling.

### Career and Musical Evolution
Jarre began his professional career in the late 1950s, initially composing for French radio and theater. His breakthrough came in 1962 when he scored David Lean's *Lawrence of Arabia*, which earned him his first Academy Award. This success established him as one of the leading film composers of his generation.

He went on to compose for over 100 films and television projects, including:
- *Doctor Zhivago* (1965) – Introduced "Lara's Theme," which became a global hit.
- *The Man Who Would Be King* (1975) – Demonstrated his ability to blend orchestral and ethnic elements.
- *Ryan's Daughter* (1970) – Further collaboration with David Lean.

### Record Labels and Affiliations
Maurice Jarre's music was distributed by several major international record labels:
- **MGM Records** – Released many of his early film scores.
- **Varèse Sarabande** – Known for high-quality soundtrack releases.
- **Milan Records** – Distributed select Jarre works globally.
- **Barclay Records** – French label that supported his domestic releases.

These partnerships enabled global distribution and recognition of his compositions.

### Awards and Recognition
Maurice Jarre received numerous accolades throughout his career:
- **Academy Awards for Best Original Score**:
  - *Lawrence of Arabia* (1962)
  - *Doctor Zhivago* (1965)
  - *The Man Who Would Be King* (1975)
- **Golden Globe Awards**:
  - *Lawrence of Arabia*
  - *Doctor Zhivago*
- **Grammy Awards**:
  - Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for *Doctor Zhivago*
- **BAFTA Awards**:
  - Best Original Music for *Lawrence of Arabia* and *Doctor Zhivago*
- **Honorary César** – France’s highest film honor.
- **Officer of the Legion of Honour** – One of France’s highest civilian distinctions.
- **Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame** – Recognized his contributions to cinema.

### Musical Genres and Styles
Jarre's compositions spanned multiple genres:
- **Film Scores** – His primary focus, blending orchestral traditions with cinematic narrative.
- **Orchestral Music** – Composed standalone works for concert performance.
- **Electronic and Experimental Music** – Later in his career, he explored synthesizers and ambient textures.

His style was characterized by:
- Emotional depth
- Melodic richness
- Integration of global musical traditions
- Use of leitmotifs to support character and theme

### Notable Works and Albums
Maurice Jarre's most iconic works include:
- *Lawrence of Arabia* (1962) – Score that defined epic film music.
- *Doctor Zhivago* (1965) – Featured "Lara's Theme," a melody recognized worldwide.
- *The Man Who Would Be King* (1975) – Highlighted his versatility in blending musical cultures.
- *Ryan's Daughter* (1970) – Another Lean collaboration.

His soundtracks were released by:
- MGM Records
- Varèse Sarabande
- Milan Records
- Barclay Records

### Influence and Legacy
Maurice Jarre influenced the field of film composition by:
- Elevating the role of music in storytelling
- Creating memorable themes that transcended their films
- Inspiring future composers such as Hans Zimmer, James Horner, and John Williams

His legacy includes:
- Over 100 film scores
- Multiple international awards
- Recognition as a master of cinematic orchestration
- A lasting impact on the sound of 20th-century cinema

### Personal Life and Identity
Maurice Jarre was a French national, born in Lyon. His full name was Maurice Antoine Alexis Jarre. He held citizenship in France and worked internationally, primarily in the United States and Europe. He passed away on March 29, 2009.

### Digital Presence and Catalog
Maurice Jarre's works are cataloged in:
- Discogs
- MusicBrainz
- AllMusic
- VIAF (Virtual International Authority File)
- RAV [Répertoire de l'Art et de la Vie musicale en France]

His compositions remain widely available through streaming platforms and reissues by labels such as Varèse Sarabande and Milan Records.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/5078000/Maurice-Jarre.html)
3. Archivio Storico Ricordi
4. Fichier des personnes décédées mirror
5. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/arts/music/31jarre.html)
6. BnF authorities
7. Find a Grave
8. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1963)
9. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1966)
10. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1985)
11. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2005.103.0.html)
12. [Source](https://walkoffame.com/maurice-jarre/)
13. International Standard Name Identifier
14. MusicBrainz
15. Virtual International Authority File
16. CiNii Research
17. Discogs
18. [Source](http://www.tvrage.com/passedaway.php?bshow=2010-03-29)
19. SNAC
20. Internet Broadway Database
21. filmportal.de
22. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
23. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
24. GeneaStar
25. Roglo
26. Musicalics
27. Proleksis Encyclopedia
28. Croatian Encyclopedia
29. Who's Who in France
30. IMDb
31. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
32. www.acmi.net.au
33. Academy Awards Database
34. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1973)
35. CONOR.SI
36. Autoritats UB
37. BBC Things
38. LIBRIS. 2013
39. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute
40. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
41. The Movie Database