Leo Arnaud | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Noël Leon Marius Arnaud |
Also known as | Leo Vauchant |
Born |
Lyon, France |
July 24, 1904
Died | April 26, 1991 Hamptonville, North Carolina, United States |
(aged 86)
Genres | Film scores |
Occupation(s) | Arranger, composer, and orchestrator |
Instruments | Cello and trombone |
Years active | 1930s–1960s |
Leo Arnaud or Léo Arnaud (/ˈleɪ.oʊ ɑːrˈnoʊ/; July 24, 1904 – April 26, 1991) was a French-American composer of film scores, best known for "Bugler's Dream", which is used as the theme by television networks presenting the Olympic Games in the United States.
The composer studied composition at conservatories in Lyon and Paris with Maurice Ravel and Vincent d'Indy. After playing as a jazz trombonist in France using the name Leo Vauchant and arranging for the Jack Hylton band in England from 1928 to 1930, he immigrated to the United States in 1931. He worked in Hollywood as an arranger for Fred Waring before joining Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as an arranger, composer, and orchestrator from 1936 to 1966.
In 1980, Arnaud left Hollywood and retired to Yadkin County, North Carolina. His wife, Faye Brooks Arnaud, was a native of the area. He is buried at Asbury United Methodist Church in Hamptonville, North Carolina.
"Bugler's Dream" is very well known, especially by Americans, as theme music for the Olympic Games from its use in ABC's and NBC's television coverage of the games. It is considered to be a symbol of the Olympics. Arnaud's piece is very stately, beginning with a timpani cadence that is soon joined by a distinctive theme in brass.