PARIS (AFP)–Singer Charles Aznavour and international restaurateur Alain Ducasse were among those receiving France’s highest civilian award–the Legion of Honor–in the New Year’s honors list–announced by the French government yesterday.
The 87-year-old composer Henri Dutilleux–described in Grove’s Dictionary of Music as having produced "a relatively small output of great breadth and originality–predominantly of instrumental works"–was awarded the Grand Cross–highest of the five ran’s.
Aznavour–who has composed more than 600 songs and sold more than 100 million records over the past six decades–became a Commander. Ducasse–owner of acclaimed restauran’s in Paris–New York and Monaco–was made a Knight–the lowest rank.