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Jazz Pianist Extraordinaire

Andre Previn talks to Donald Macleod about his meteoric success as a jazz pianist in the 1950s - and his troubled marriage to the gifted lyricist Dory Langdon.

Donald Macleod talks to Andr茅 Previn about his meteoric success as a jazz pianist in the 1950s - and his troubled marriage to the gifted lyricist Dory Langdon.

Andr茅 Previn is one of our most iconic musical celebrities - a world-renowned conductor, a multi-award-winning jazz and classical pianist, and a household name to millions after his appearance as Morecambe and Wise's guest "Andrew Preview". With five former marriages, including to actress Mia Farrow and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, Previn's never been far from the arts - and the gossip - pages of the newspapers. And yet, his formidable talents as a composer have often been overlooked. This week, Donald Macleod explores Andr茅 Previn's career as a movie, jazz and classical composer, exclusively in conversation Previn himself as they explore his remarkable musical life.

Having built a career as a brilliant young film composer, Andr茅 Previn's career as a jazz pianist suddenly took off in 1954, when his album "My Fair Lady" - his own trio arrangements of the popular musical - became the bestselling album the jazz industry had ever experienced. Catapulted into fame, and still only in his early 20s, Previn became one of the most sought-after pianists of his generation - simultaneously releasing dozens of jazz albums whilst honing his skills as a classical pianist. He speaks to Donald Macleod about his career as a jazz and popular composer, and discusses his relationship with the gifted but troubled lyricist Dory Langdon - his second wife and longtime collaborator. We'll hear a trio of their songs, and from one of Previn's most significant concert hall works - his Guitar Concerto, written for the virtuoso soloist John Williams.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Andr茅 Previn

    Concerto for guitar, electric guitar, bass and drums - last movement

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Performer: John Williams.
    • Sony Classical SK47250.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 1.
  • Andr茅 Previn

    Concerto for guitar, electric guitar, bass and drums 1st movement

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Performer: John Williams.
    • Sony Classical SK47250.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 1.
  • Andr茅 Previn

    Vocalise for voice, cello and piano

    Performer: Yo鈥怸o Ma.
    • SONY : SK-62004.
    • SONY.
    • 10.
  • Andr茅 Previn

    Andre's Blues

    • Alone.
    • Decca.
    • 3.
  • Andr茅 Previn

    Where, I Wonder

    Singer: Leontyne Price. Orchestra: Studio Orchestra.
    • RCA: GD82923.
    • RCA.
    • 12.
  • Frederick Loewe

    My fair lady - musical/film [1956]

    Performer: Leroy Vinnegar. Performer: Shelly Manne. Performer: Andr茅 Previn.
    • Contemporary Records C3527.
    • Contemporary Records.
    • 1.
  • Dionne Warwick

    (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls

    • TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX: 4196.
    • TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX.
    • 12.
  • Andr茅 Previn

    Song From Two For The Seesaw (Second Chance)

    Singer: Jackie Cain. Orchestra: MGM Studio Orchestra.
    • Two For The See Saw (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
    • UNITED ARTISTS.
    • 9.

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  • Tue 16 Dec 2014 12:00
  • Tue 16 Dec 2014 18:30

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