André Previn

Born April 6, 1929 in Berlin, died February 28, 2019 in Manhattan, New York City, NY. American pianist, conductor and composer of German descent.

Taught classical piano repertoire by his music teacher father, he became a pupil at Berlin's Hochschule für Musik (Conservatory) from the age of six but, because of his Russian-Jewish background, he was forced out. Via Paris, his family settled in the USA in 1939 (naturalized 1943). Became involved in the film industry at MGM from 1946 while still a high school student. He became interested in performing jazz after hearing pianist Art Tatum at The Blackhawk, San Francisco and recorded for various labels starting in 1946 and with Contemporary Records during the 1950s. He was tutored around 1952 by conductor Pierre Monteux after being drafted into the military. Upon his discharge he returned to MGM and eventually received four Oscars (nominated for three alone in 1961), ultimately functioning as composer/arranger/conductor. Continuing to work intermittently in films and on new musicals, he began during the next decade to concentrate on a classical music career. Appointed as principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO, 1968 to 1979), he appeared in 1971 on the BBC's "Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show" (a well-known comic encounter in the UK), hosted "André Previn’s Music Night" (1971-72) and was principal conductor and chief conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1985-92). From 1976 to 1984, he was music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, leading to programs on PBS such as "Previn and the Pittsburgh" (1977-80), and music director of Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra (1985-89). Previn did receive some critical hostility in his career for his mix of the popular and the serious, but "Guardian" critic [a1686770] praised him for his espousal of the work of English composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams (recording a complete cycle of his symphonies) and Sir William Walton and his playing of the piano works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was well received. Late in his career, he composed two operas, "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1998) and "Brief Encounter" (2009). Won ten competitive Grammys (1958 to 2004) equally split between classical and other categories, and a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2010. Honorary UK knighthood (KBE) awarded in 1996. Great uncle (or possibly father's cousin) was [a1897190].

Married to: Betty Bennett (1952-1957), Dory Langdon (Dory Previn, 1959-1969), Mia Farrow (1970-1979), Heather Hales Sneddon (1982-1999), Anne-Sophie Mutter (2002-2006)
Father of Alicia Previn (aka [a786196]) from his marriage to Bennett and (adopted) [a1797181] from his marriage to Sneddon