I think there was a long period when the glasses completely took over Andre Previn

But he was a good jazz & classical pianist, composer, and conductor. I think a lot of his compositions haven't been recorded, and some of the works no doubt strike a more serious note, given the amount of them (from Wiki ):

"André Previn left two concert overtures, several tone poems, 14 concerti, a symphony for strings, incidental music to a British play; a rich trove of chamber music (six violin sonatas, other scores for violin and piano; sonatas for bassoon, cello, clarinet, flute and oboe, each with piano; a waltz for two oboes and piano, three other trios, a string quartet with soprano, a clarinet quintet, a quintet for horn and strings, a nonet, a so-called Octet for Eleven, and three works for brass ensemble); several works for solo piano; dozens of songs (in English and German); a monodrama for soprano, string quartet and piano (Penelope, completed just before he died); a musical each for New York and London (Coco and The Good Companions); and two successful operas.

 

It's interesting to note that for many many years, Previn tried to get John Williams to display some of his more experimental works, and yet... Williams refused because he thought his works weren't good enough, but it was Previn and Japanese American Conductor Seiji Ozawa who during the 1980s and 90s, promoted Wiliams's Music through Ozawa's Tenure at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Previn's work in Europe. That's what I read from multiple sources of mine.

 

For sure he's a crossover artist. Previn's first work was in the movie industry (playing piano accompaniment for silent films). For a while he was an orchestrator at MGM. Unsure what you mean, jojoju2000 by "first to push film scores out there...", but when he began his conducting career, he was frequently billed as "Hollywood's André Previn" which he quickly outgrew. Had an affinity and ability esp. for British music. Meanwhile, he developed a career as a jazz pianist as well (personally, I've not much liked his jazz work, what I've heard anyway). But, I love his conducting and composing. His Violin Concerto, Piano Concerto, and esp. Cello Concerto are particularly to be admired. I haven't heard his guitar concerto...

 

So i have a question for you; what makes Andre Previn different than say John Williams? Has Williams been too tied into the Popcorn Fluff of the 1980s ? Should he have promoted his own works more ?

How do people like Phillip Glass fit in ? Are they considered to be more " legit " because they made their names as classical composers first ?

 

If there was anyone who could have been Bernstein's successor, it was Previn: he worked in TV, films, theater as well as the concert hall and was a good writer. He was quite a popular TV figure in Britain if not so much here. His keyboard skills were first-rate. He made some terrific recordings for sure: RCA, EMI, Telarc all have great things in their catalog he did. There are some duds for sure. It was unfortunate that his personal life was so complex and messed up. Too many marriages and divorces. And the Soon-Yi scandal did nothing to help his public image. Someone really needs to write a good biography.

 

Yeah, he was cross-over class.

 

This is jolly good :lol::lol:

Thanks so much for sharing.

Regards,

Vincula

 

listen to his cadenza for Mozart K.491/i:

 

John Williams for President!! :lol:

 

You know; I wonder how much of this discussion is due to the fact, that Americans don't value Classical Music as much as other countries. If you ask a normal average American, he or she will have a cursory knowledge of who Stravinsky is.

 

Combo package:
Mention of introducing people to orchestras in: 2:10
Lionel Newman speaking of Williams as a classical composer looked down upon by some critics: 6:58
Brief interview with Previn in: 7:32

 

Leonard Slatkin's mother - Eleanor Slatkin - played 1st cello on Previn's 1964 Dead Ringer soundtrack, the best John Williams-sounding film score that Johnny Williams never wrote!

[sample Johnny Williams' 1965 None But The Brave CD to hear Previn-sounding music that was not written by Previn ]

 

There are some funny tales that Previn tells about his Hollywood years in his book 'No Minor Chords'.
He was friends with Errol Flynn who one night, knocked on Previn's door a little worse for worse. Flynn said "hi, I've come to thank you and bring you a present." He then pushed a pretty Chinese girl into his doorway and ran off. Previn does not elaborate further. I think it was also Flynn whom Previn bumped into coming down the stairs of his girlfriends apartment while Previn was going up the stairs. They laughed and Previn went for dinner with him instead (he doesn't say if he ended the relationship with his girlfriend).

And this made me laugh...

Max Steiner met Korngold on Warner Bros Street. They greeted each other and Steiner said, "You Know Erich, we've both been here at Warners for over twenty years and something occurred to me recently; your music is slowly getting hackneyed and mine is getting better."

Korngold was unperturbed. 'But the explanation is simple Maxie," he purred. "I'm beginning to imitate you and you are beginning to imitate me!"....composers eh?

 

Nice thread. To go back to the beginning, I wouldn't use the term 'cross-over' to describe Previn. I would simply describe him as a uniquely talented all-round musician.

 

Previn wrote a fun book "Orchestra" based on his experiences conducting the LondonSO and other ensembles...lots of interviews with various orchestra personnel....fun read, with some great anecdotes.

 

Previn is probably the only musician who was music director of major orchestras who also had a record which made the Billboard Top 100 Pop Charts...this one went to #46 in 1959.

 

I am a fan of his Angel/EMI recordings with the London Symphony, back in the early-mid 70s. Shostakovich's Symphony No. 8 and Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5 are very excited, both the performances (even when ensemble almost comes undone) and recording style (bass heavy but in a good way - Stuart Knussen was one titan of a bass player!).

 

Previn knew where the money was.....
He was typically late 20th century USA influenced.... part musicologist, part performing clown for the camera....