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 it’s 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 “It’s Always Fair Weather” in 1955 as well as part of the score for Gene Kelly’s 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 Day’s 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 1980’s 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...
= new reply since forum marked as read
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. 
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!! 
it all!" Oh my god... 😂😂😂
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!
Who can take their place.
Will miss him greatly!
One of my favorite sketches 
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
Not that you could tell anything, but it was a point of interest and gossip.
RIP to quite the musical genius.
in 2012 to direct the PSO. They had to help him to and from the podium and he sat while he conducted.
