The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Stars lead tributes to composer Andre Previn, age 89
Mia Farrow and Stephen Fry have led the tributes to Oscar-winning composer Andre Previn following his death at the age of 89.
Previn, who was married to Farrow for nine years, was best known for his work on films such as Gigi, Porgy And Bess and My Fair Lady.
He later turned his back on Hollywood to conduct orchestras and was principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) from 1968 to 1979.
During this period he and the orchestra appeared on television in the programme Andre Previn’s Music Night.
His appearance on the 1971 Morecambe And Wise Christmas Special is still among the most popular moments of British TV comedy history.
After news of his death was announced yesterday, tributes were paid to the German-born composer.
Actress Farrow, who had three biological children with Previn, shared a picture of the two together and wrote: “See you in the Morning beloved Friend. May you rest in glorious symphonies.”
The couple were married from 1970 to 1979. They also adopted Korean child Soon-Yi Previn, who went on to marry Farrow’s partner, Woody Allen.
Comedian and actor Fry referenced the Morecambe and Wise sketch and said: “Farewell, Andre 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...”
Opera singer and soprano Renee Fleming said she was “very saddened” by the loss.
She tweeted: “The @NYTimes says his music knew no boundaries, but I would say that of his talent and humanity as well.”
Previn was an accomplished jazz pianist and also proved to be versatile across musical genres and won 10 Grammys.
In 2010, he was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the Recording Academy.
Previn was acclaimed for taking popular show and pop tunes and giving them a jazz twist and released jazz albums featuring the songs of George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Harold Arlen.