How many film composers have a street named after them? Here on Rue Georges Van Parys, we celebrate just such a talent. This street honors Georges Van Parys. He was a prolific French composer of film music and operettas.
Georges Van Parys was born in Paris on June 7 1902. He died in Paris on January 28 1971. So, his life began and ended in this very city. He is buried in the cemetery at Villiers-sur-Marne.
Imagine Van Parys as a young man. He initially studied law. However, his passion led him to music. In 1924, he started as a freelance composer. He played piano at the cabaret Chez Fyscher. There, he accompanied famous singers like Lucienne Boyer and Arletty. During this time, he began composing his first operettas. These included “Madame la Comtesse” and “Lulu”.
Van Parys began composing for films in the late 1920s. Early in his film career, he collaborated with René Clair and Luis Buñuel. After World War II, he became one of France’s most sought-after film composers.
Georges Van Parys wrote music for a wide array of films. These films included high-profile, big-budget productions. “Caroline chérie”, “Gold Helmet”, and “Fanfan la Tulipe” feature his memorable scores. His melodies were elegant and eloquent. They were never vulgar.
Despite his busy film career, Van Parys continued to compose for the theater. He wrote music for “Fra Diavolo” and “La dame de chez Maxim’s”. His operetta “Virginie Dejazet” and the ballet “Voulez-vous danser avec moi?” also demonstrate his range. Moreover, Van Parys composed chansons. Maurice Chevalier, Danielle Darrieux and Georges Brassens performed them. From 1945 to 1963, he created music for numerous short films. For a time, Van Parys served as vice-president of the Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique.
German TV viewers in the 1960s knew Van Parys. He wrote the film scores for the ZDF four-part series “Robinson Crusoe”.
Georges Van Parys’s contributions were recognized with several honors. He was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour. In 1968, he received the Grand Prix de la Musique de la SACEM.
Consider that Georges Van Parys composed over 300 film scores. He also wrote over 500 songs and more than 60 works for the theater. His work defines a certain French spirit. It embodies humor, sophistication and poetry. His melodies are timeless. He reinvented the music of the past.
So, as we stand on Rue Georges Van Parys. Remember the man. Remember his music. Remember his lasting impact on French culture.