Great Recordings

On April 6, 2009 the musical world will celebrate the 80th birthday of one of the most versatile of musicians, André Previn. Born in Berlin but based out of Los Angeles after fleeing the Nazis, Prévin was prolific. His credits as either arranger, composer, conductor, or music director include Three Little Words (1950) with Fred Astaire, Kiss Me, Kate (1953), and Silk Stockings (1957). In 1958, Prévin received the first of four Oscars, from no less than thirteen Academy nominations, for his work on Gigi. This was followed by awards for Porgy & Bess (1959), Irma la Douce (1963), and My Fair Lady (1964)-- tunes from which he made a highly successful crossover album of jazz interpretations.

A true musical statesman, Prévin excelled as a soloist (such as on his classic recording of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and Piano Concerto), accompanist (acclaimed for his stunning collaborations with Itzhak Perlman), conductor (his recording of Ravi Shankar's Sitar Concerto No.1, as well as his numerous recordings of both traditional favorites and daring, modern compositions), and composer (his opera, A Streetcar Named Desire, was given its premiere in 1998).

This 10-CD set brings together his greatest moments, celebrating 80 years of magnificent music from this remarkable man.