André Previn established a multifaceted career that spanned film composition, jazz piano, and classical conducting. Born in Berlin in 1929, he emerged as a versatile force in the United States, transitioning from a prolific Hollywood studio musician into an internationally recognized orchestral leader. His life was defined by a constant movement between genres, shaping his approach to both composition and performance.
Early Life and Migration
Born to a Jewish family in Berlin, Previn received early piano training at the Berlin Conservatory until his studies were interrupted by political persecution in 1938. After a brief period in Paris, the family emigrated to the United States, settling in Los Angeles in 1938. By 1943, he was a naturalized American citizen. He graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1946, already possessing a command of multiple languages and a deep immersion in musical theory.
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Previn began his professional career as a teenager at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where he was hired to compose and arrange music for motion pictures. His early credits included work on the Lassie film series, beginning with The Sun Comes Up in 1949. Throughout a career spanning more than 50 films, he earned four Academy Awards. His tenure at MGM lasted 16 years, ending when he chose to shift his focus toward classical music and jazz.
Orchestral Leadership
As a conductor, Previn held numerous prestigious positions across the globe. He served as music director for the Houston Symphony Orchestra from 1967 to 1969 and led the London Symphony Orchestra as principal conductor from 1968 to 1979. Further appointments included music director roles at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as chief conductor positions with the Royal Philharmonic and the Oslo Philharmonic.
Jazz and Classical Recognition
Beyond the podium, Previn maintained a significant presence in jazz, recording as a pianist and accompanist. He was a regular interpreter of the Great American Songbook and collaborated with prominent artists such as Ella Fitzgerald. His classical work was equally extensive, earning him 10 Grammy Awards and the 2005 Glenn Gould Prize. He remained a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences until his death in New York City in 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 1929, Berlin
- Died: 2019, New York City
- Citizenship: United States, Germany
- Education: Beverly Hills High School
- Academy Award wins: 4
- Grammy Award wins: 10
- Glenn Gould Prize year: 2005
- Languages: German, French, English
Questions readers ask
What were the primary pillars of André Previn’s career?
His career comprised three main areas: composing and arranging for Hollywood films, performing jazz piano, and conducting major symphony orchestras.
Which orchestras did Previn lead?
He served as music director or chief conductor for the Houston Symphony, London Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, and Oslo Philharmonic.
Achievements
- Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire — 1996
- Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award — 2010
- Glenn Gould Prize — 2005
- Academy Award for Best Original Musical Score — 1960
- Instruments: piano
- Genres: jazz, opera and classical music
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