In Wednesday’s (4/22) Wall Street Journal, Barrymore Laurence Scherer writes, “Those who cling to the image of André Previn as a Wunderkind in a turtleneck may be gobsmacked to learn that April 6 marked his 80th birthday. In the course of a multifaceted career, Mr. Previn has distinguished himself as a symphonic conductor, a chamber musician, a jazz pianist, and a composer of symphonic and chamber music, opera, Broadway shows, concert song, popular American song, and Hollywood film scores. To mark this banner year, Mr. Previn has been involved in an exhausting international performance schedule. Carnegie Hall is saluting Mr. Previn with a concert series, including a chamber music program tonight in which he will appear with violinist (and ex-wife) Anne-Sophie Mutter and cellist Lynn Harrell, playing piano trios by Mozart and Mendelssohn as well as his own newly commissioned Piano Trio. On April 26 Carnegie Hall’s celebration culminates with his appearance conducting the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and Ms. Mutter, soprano Renée Fleming and violist Yuri Bashmet. The program features his Violin Concerto ‘Anne-Sophie,’ the world premiere of his Concerto for Violin and Viola, and arias from his opera ‘A Streetcar Named Desire.’ ”
Posted April 22, 2009
Photo credit: Lillian Birbaum/Deutsche Grammophon
