Oscar-winning composer and conductor Andre Previn dies aged 89
The only person in the history of Academy Awards to be nominated three times in the same year died peacefully at his Manhattan home, his family confirmed.
Born Andreas Ludwig Priwin in 1929, his family escaped Germany to the US in 1938. Previn was a musical prodigy from a very young age, and went on to have a career blurring the boundaries between classical music, pop and jazz.
He won Oscars for writing the musical scores for “Gigi” (1959), “Porgy and Bess” (1960), “Irma La Douce” (1964) and “My Fair Lady” (1965). He was the only person in the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences history to be nominated three times in the same year – in 1961, for two film scores and a song.
Previn was married five times, first to jazz singer Betty Bennett, then singer-songwriter Dory Previn, actress Mia Farrow, Heather Sneddon, and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter.
Mr Previn, you may have been a world renowned pianist, conductor, and composer, winner of four Academy Awards and ten Grammy Awards but for most people in Britain you will always be remembered for this sketch. Not a bad legacy to have I think?RIP Andre Previn. pic.twitter.com/cD4RcYWpNH
— Nick Britten (@Nick_Britten) February 28, 2019
Farewell, André Previn. He played all the right notes, and usually in the right order. What a life. All those Oscars, awards and achievements and yet most of my generation will always think of him as Andre Preview, conducting Eric Morecambe. He probably wouldn't mind...
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) February 28, 2019
We are deeply saddened to hear of the death this morning of our Conductor Emeritus André Previn. He will be hugely missed by everyone at the LSO and remembered with great affection. May he always play all the right notes in the right order. Tribute: https://t.co/GJ4OG9aoIjpic.twitter.com/ybK4dKBuoS
— London Symphony Orch (@londonsymphony) February 28, 2019
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