André Previn - Conductor, Pianist and Composer

As a pianist, André Previn performs and records chamber music. His first opera, the brassy, bluesy and lyrical A Streetcar Named Desire is a rare hit among contemporary operas.

Previn moved as a child from Berlin to California. While still a student, he worked in various Hollywood studios writing scores, most notably perhaps, the music to Porgy and Bess and My Fair Lady. Previn's recording history spans more than 50 years of work for all of the major labels. Later, he developed a distinguished reputation while holding chief artistic posts with orchestras such as The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Royal Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, and the Houston Symphony.

In recent years, his diverse achievements have won him numerous honours, from Germany's Commander's Cross to the Order of Merit to a Knighthood, awarded by Queen Elizabeth II. As a pianist, recording artist, author and television host, he is familiar to millions around the world.

Previn has a full calendar. In 2000 and 2001, he conducted, amongst others, the New York Philharmonic, the Dresden Staatskapelle, the Vienna Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony. Previn will tour Spain in February 2002 as well as Europe in June 2002, with German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter.

Performances of Brahms' A German Requiem with both the Orchestra of St. Luke's in the Carnegie Hall and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra are also on the cards. In 2002, Previn will conduct the world premiere performance of a Violin Concerto, written by him for Anne-Sophie Mutter. Exciting times for one of the most prolific musicians of his generation.