Conductor Andre Previn dies at 89

ANDRE Previn has been hailed as a “one of a kind” musician after his death at the age of 89.

The Oscar-winning composer, who was once married to Mia Farrow, was best known for his work on films such as Gigi, Porgy And Bess and My Fair Lady.

He later turned his back on films to conduct orchestras and was principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1968-79. 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.

An accomplished jazz pianist, he 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.

London Symphony Orchestra chairman Gareth Davies said: “Like the majority of players in the present-day LSO, Andre’s time as principal conductor had ended before I’d begun, but it was the stuff of legend and I was fortunate enough to be able to perform with him several times over the last 20 years.

“I will never forget hearing the 1970s recording of Previn conducting the LSO in Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony when I was about 15. It had me hooked. The sound, the phrasing, the passion. It changed the way I thought about orchestral music.

“When I got to play it a few years ago with Andre conducting, it was really a dream come true. Andre was one of a kind and a real friend to the LSO. We will all miss him.”