Frank Duval

by John Bush
Television composer Frank Duval scored several hits in Germany, including 1979's "Todesengel" and the following year's "Angel of Mine." Born in Berlin in 1940, he studied as an actor and dancer, but also sang with his sister, Maria. By the '60s, Duval was also composing music, both orchestral and pop, and his debut soundtrack -- for an episode of the German serial Tatort -- aired in 1977. Much busier with composition work during the late '70s, Duval also released some of his recordings through Teldec. From his 1979 debut Die Schönsten Melodien Aus Derrick und der Alte, "Todesengel" became a moderate hit.
During the '80s, Frank Duval continued recording for Teldec, and he released several soundtracks, as well as proper artist albums (with occasional lyrical help from his wife, Kalina Maloyer). He hit the German charts several times, with 1983's "Ways," 1986's "Lovers Will Survive," and 1987's "When You Were Mine."