Frank Duval
Composer, singer, arranger
Content:
1. Frank Duval: A Musical Mastermind
2. Stage and Screen
3. Television and Film Scores
4. Solo Career and Hits
5. Collaboration and Impact
6. Personal Life
7. Later Years and Legacy
8. Conclusion
Frank Duval: A Musical Mastermind
Early Life and Influences
Frank Duval, born in Berlin on November 22, 1940, to artist and pianist Wolf Duval, was destined for a life in the arts. His early exposure to music and theater ignited a passion that would shape his career.
As a teenager, Duval began acting in the theater. From 1958 to 1962, he sang in a duet with his younger sister (their duet "Maria and Franco Duval" released more than a dozen singles that fans of Duval's music are unlikely to like), starred in films, played on stage in musicals, and later began writing music for radio plays and a number of German performers (including his first wife, actress and singer Karin Huebner).
Stage and Screen
Duval began his performing journey as a child actor, appearing at Berlin's prestigious Kurfürstendamm Theater. His interest in music grew alongside his acting, and he formed a sibling duo, composing songs and performing them in concert. Under the pseudonym Franco Duval, he embarked on a brief film career in the late 1950s.
Creating the arrangements, the composer used musical instruments from synthesizer to classical strings and percussion. He interacted with the symphony orchestra and invited popular musicians to collaborate, surprising fans with elements of rock and pop music in his works. Duval became a favorite of German music critics and the idol of several generations.
Television and Film Scores
In the mid-1960s, Duval transitioned into television production, initially as a producer. His fascination with creating soundtracks led him to compose music for a variety of shows, including the acclaimed crime series "Tatort." The success of his scores, particularly for "Derrick" and "Der Alte," established him as one of Germany's preeminent film composers.
Solo Career and Hits
During the 1980s, Duval released several soundtracks, as well as solo albums, with lyrics occasionally co-written with his wife Kalina Maloyer. He had several singles enter the German charts, including "Angel of Mine" (Number One in 1981), "Ways" (1983), "Lovers Will Survive" (1986), and "When You Were Mine" (1987).
Duval's musical prowess extended beyond the screen. He released several solo albums, beginning with "Die Schönsten Melodien Aus Derrick und der Alte" in 1979. His romantic and ethereal compositions, such as "Todesengel," "Angel of Mine," and "Ways," became instant hits and solidified his status as a talented singer-songwriter.
One of Duvalier's most famous songs, "Touch My Soul," has the subtitle "To Sai Baba" for a reason. The song, which is considered by many to be a masterpiece of love lyrics, actually serves as a dedication to Sathya Sai Baba, the spiritual leader and creator of the financial empire, who was revered by his followers as the incarnation of God on Earth. "Touch my soul, teach me to love..."
Frank Duval — Touch My Soul
Collaboration and Impact
Throughout his career, Duval collaborated with various artists and genres. He incorporated elements of rock and pop into his compositions, earning the admiration of music critics. His songs were performed by esteemed vocalists, including Ingrid Kup.
Personal Life
Frank Duval was married twice. His second marriage to Kalina Maloyer, an artist and musician, proved to be both a creative and personal partnership. Maloyer's voice and lyrics featured prominently in Duval's work, and their collaborative efforts produced the album "East West Records."
In his catalog there is a beautiful composition "Kalina's Melodie", dedicated to his wife. For the first time, her name appeared in the credits of the album "I Could Fly Away", which was released in 1983. Kalina Malloyer wrote the lyrics for all the songs. Music, production, arrangements, and even orchestra conducting all rested on Duval's shoulders.
Later Years and Legacy
In his later years, Duval retreated from the spotlight, focusing on his family and charitable endeavors. He became an active philanthropist, supporting organizations such as the Frank Duval Foundation, which provides aid to underprivileged children in India.
At the peak of his career, Frank Duval and his wife moved to the Canary island of La Palma in search of inspiration. Since 1985, he has been living in an old house built of volcanic rock, surrounded by a picturesque garden. There is a professional studio in the courtyard.
Conclusion
Frank Duval's musical legacy is characterized by his versatility, emotional depth, and enduring popularity. His compositions have captivated generations of listeners, and his ability to fuse genres and create timeless melodies solidifies his place as one of the most revered composers of his time.
In 2021, after a long silence, Frank Duval's latest album "Lonesome Fighter" was released. At the age of 83, the German pop mystic is still ready to surprise his loyal fans.
Frank Duval "It was love" - "Это была любовь"
Sorrow
Now you're gone and I feel sorrow
Now you're gone and I feel love, love
Maybe love
Silence
The room is filled with deadly silenсe
I'm longing for your touch your voice
I'm longing for your love
Грусть
Сейчас ты ушла, и я чувствую грусть
Сейчас ты ушла, и я чувствую любовь, любовь
Может быть любовь
Тишина
Комната наполнена мертвой тишиной
Я очень хочу твоего прикосновения, твой голос
Я очень хочу твоей любви.
It was love
We didn't recognize
We were prisoners
Of conventions
It was love
All those silly lies
Covering our face
We will tear them down
Это была любовь,
Мы ее не узнали
Мы были пленниками
Условностей.
Это была любовь
Всю ту глупую ложь,
Покрывающую наши лица,
Мы будем оплакивать
Moments
They will return those happy moments
When I will feel your touch your smile
When I'll feel your love
Мгновения
Они вернутся, те счастливые моменты,
Когда я почувствую твое прикосновение, твою улыбку,
Когда я почувствую твою любовь.
Chorus / Припев
Frank Duval & Kalina Maloyer - It Was Love