Andre Previn, Four-Time Oscar-Winning Composer, Dies at 89
Source: Variety
Oscar-winning film composer and symphony orchestra conductor Andre Previn died Thursday at his home in Manhattan, his manager confirmed to the New York Times. He was 89.
The former enfant terrible of motion picture scoring and accomplished jazz pianist was honored with four Academy Awards. He won the first two, for best scoring of a musical picture (a category that has since been retired), for Gigi and Porgy & Bess in 1958 and 1959, respectively, while still in his 20s. He then won two for best adaptation or treatment (another retired sub-category) in 1963 and 1964 for Irma la Douce and My Fair Lady, respectively.
He later abandoned films to conduct such esteemed orchestras as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
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In 1949 he was given his first original score assignment, The Sun Comes Up, a Lassie picture, about which he recalled, I thought it was easy, but I have since put myself through the wringer of watching it on a television rerun, and its the most inept score you ever heard.
It was, however, good enough to win him a contract as a composer-conductor at MGM, a career that was interrupted by the draft in 1950. During his military stint he wrote arrangements for the Sixth Army band and played in San Francisco jazz spots. Resuming his career in 1952, he adapted such stage musicals as Kiss Me Kate, Kismet, Silk Stockings and Bells Are Ringing for the big screen.
Previn composed original scores for the musical Its Always Fair Weather in 1955 as well as part of the score for Gene Kellys experimental 1956 film Invitation to the Dance.
In addition, he wrote songs and scores for such 50s films as Bad Day at Black Rock, Designing Women and Hot Summer Nights. In the 60s and 70s, he wrote scores for Elmer Gantry, One, Two, Three, Long Days Journey Into Night, Kiss Me, Stupid, Inside Daisy Clover, The Fortune Cookie and Rollerball. Previn contributed songs and music to The Swinger, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Paint Your Wagon, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Catch 22, The Music Lovers, Valley of the Dolls and Mrs. Polifax Spy. His final score was for 1980s Paul Simon movie One Trick Pony, though he conducted for Six Weeks two years later.
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Read more: https://variety.com/2019/music/news/andre-previn-dead-dies-composer-gigi-porgy-and-bess-1203152006/
Cross gently, sir...
LisaM
(27,813 posts)There were a couple, I find this one very, very haunting
https://www.bing.com/search?q=beware+of+young+girls&form=PRUSEN&pc=U453&mkt=en-us&httpsmsn=1&refig=41063902766546a18b75789d88493d79&sp=-1&pq=beware+of+young+girls&sc=0-21&qs=n&sk=&cvid=41063902766546a18b75789d88493d79
catbyte
(34,393 posts)Yuck. I read that he threatened to fly over from Paris & kill Allen himself, as any outraged dad would think.
LisaM
(27,813 posts)I remember when Woody Allen and Mia Farrow were still a couple and in every picture of their family, the kids all looked sad.
catbyte
(34,393 posts)Woody Allen's biological son but he's the spitting image of Frank Sinatra. Why try to hide it, especially now?
LisaM
(27,813 posts)It's also weird that he was named Satchel.
MyOwnPeace
(16,927 posts)worked well as a song-writing duo.
I have an album by Jackie Cain and Joy Kral (husband & wife popularly known as Jackie & Roy) singing songs by Andre & Dori. The LB has a picture of both on the album cover.
classof56
(5,376 posts)They were also among my favorites way back when. A friend of mine had their albums and we spent hours listening to them perform. Boy, talk about memories!
Thanks!!
MyOwnPeace
(16,927 posts)It's there - complete with a picture of the cover!
Yes, they were great!
Enjoy!
catbyte
(34,393 posts)it all!" Oh my god... 😂😂😂
classof56
(5,376 posts)Saw him at a concert in Denver back in the early 60s. Still have at least one of his albums. What a legacy he left us!
Duppers
(28,125 posts)Thankgoodness for recordings.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)Who can take their place.
Blue Owl
(50,393 posts)Will miss him greatly!
EarlG
(21,949 posts)One of my favorite sketches
TygrBright
(20,760 posts)Probably the hooter, but something about the browline as well.
appreciatively,
Bright
dalton99a
(81,513 posts)muriel_volestrangler
(101,320 posts)I predict this will be shown on the British news reports:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xl9sgf
It may have been blocked due to copyright on YouTube:
EarlG
(21,949 posts)Great sketch.
Byronic
(504 posts)You are right. The front page of this morning's Times shows Andre being grabbed by the lapels by Eric Morecambe.
That sketch is a classic. Previn was such a good sport.
BumRushDaShow
(129,054 posts)Now this is a loss! I had seen some mention of his name I think last year... He was trying to work right up to the end. I know he has conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra here in Philly in the past. I had a teacher in high school who closely followed him.
R.I.P.
FakeNoose
(32,639 posts)Mr. Previn directed the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for 8 years, from 1976 to 1984.
https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2019/02/28/Oscar-winning-composer-Andre-Previn-former-Pittsburgh-Symphony-PSO-director-dies/stories/201902280139
nolabear
(41,984 posts)Not that you could tell anything, but it was a point of interest and gossip.
RIP to quite the musical genius.
MyOwnPeace
(16,927 posts)in 2012 to direct the PSO. They had to help him to and from the podium and he sat while he conducted.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)Paladin
(28,262 posts)BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)A Bernstein/Barenboim level of talent and that was just in classical music. Here he is conducting and playing Mozarts 17th piano concerto: