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Previn on Williams


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http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/oct/0...sicandopera.usa

It is sometimes claimed that the best classical composers are working in the film industry: Morricone, John Williams, even Andrew Lloyd Webber. Previn worked on the scoring for the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar, as a favour to his friend Norman Jewison, who directed. "I'm not a great fan of Lloyd Webber's. He doesn't need me to be a fan. Believe me." And the others? He winces. "John Williams is without question talented. He writes very good scores and very good melodies and all that. But, no, of the others ... You know, when I hear Titanic - James Horner - which was a huge hit, it's the same 16 bars played 185 times. It's not interesting."

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He's only cranky because he's now divorced 2 years from his violinist trophy wife, Anne-Sophie Mutter. Sources quoted in the reports indicated that the reason the marriage ran into trouble was that the aging Previn (77 at the time )was unable to keep up with the extremely busy and peripatetic schedule that Mutter (43 at the time), as one of the most in-demand instrumental soloists on the scene, maintains. He probably just couldn't get a sniffy fast enough.

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He conducted a wonderful concert last night in Boston, premiering his newest work "Owls", which is in the vein of his classic works like A Streetcar Named Desire. It was really beautiful.

I have to agree with him, the best composers are not working in Hollywood.

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The funny thing is I told Steef today that, when it comes to film music, I like John Williams but not so much his competition. Could it be that I am André Previn?! Wow, that would mean that my wife is the best violinist in the world.

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The funny thing is I told Steef today that, when it comes to film music, I like John Williams but not so much his competition. Could it be that I am André Previn?! Wow, that would mean that my wife is the best violinist in the world.

I considered it, but ultimatly rejected the notion.

Previn has better things to do then come here and act sour.

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The funny thing is I told Steef today that, when it comes to film music, I like John Williams but not so much his competition. Could it be that I am André Previn?! Wow, that would mean that my wife is the best violinist in the world.

I considered it, but ultimatly rejected the notion.

Previn has better things to do then come here and act sour.

Just because I and Previn think you have a kitschy taste doesn't mean we are sour, Steef. You keep confusing these two very different things.

He is a bitter old man but is a loyal Williams supporter for a long time.

I showed you a picture of his wife and still you are able to say this? You must be gay, Alfred.

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I agree with Previn

Previn is right. Besides, he is an excellent conductor and a pretty talented composer himself.

Titanic was hugely popular, but not great and far from brilliant.

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He's only cranky because he's now divorced 2 years from his violinist trophy wife, Anne-Sophie Mutter. Sources quoted in the reports indicated that the reason the marriage ran into trouble was that the aging Previn (77 at the time )was unable to keep up with the extremely busy and peripatetic schedule that Mutter (43 at the time), as one of the most in-demand instrumental soloists on the scene, maintains. He probably just couldn't get a sniffy fast enough.

And he still hasn't gotten over Woody Allen Shagging both his ex-wife and his adopted daughter...the man's got a lot to be cranky about.

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Titanic is a guilty pleasure. It's a really good score that will forever be best (worst?) remembered for the Celine Dion song, which will always be adored by legions of teenage girls everywhere, and for the sappy romantic epic for which it was scored. The movie's ok once in a while every few years, but I still appreciate the score for its interesting and beautiful moments. Derivative Horner or not, his 90s output was still good.

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When Titanic opened up, I had a friend who was just frantic about it's opening. All she talked about was Titanic this and Titanic that. Finally, one day at lunch, we were all so done with hearing about Titanic that I looked at her and said "Ya know, I hate to tell you how the movie ends, but the ship sinks." Her responce: "Really!?"

True story...

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When Titanic opened up, I had a friend who was just frantic about it's opening. All she talked about was Titanic this and Titanic that. Finally, one day at lunch, we were all so done with hearing about Titanic that I looked at her and said "Ya know, I hate to tell you how the movie ends, but the ship sinks." Her responce: "Really!?"

True story...

I never got that joke. Of course the ship sinks. They show you the frickin' wreck at the beginning of the movie!

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  • 3 weeks later...

He's a grumpy old never-even-has-been who is bitter at his own inability to adapt to the changing sensibilities of western music.

Please bring on the claims that Previn is highly renowned amongst the 6 people in the world who are classical purists.

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http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...toryId=95915254

Commentator Miles Hoffman offers a classical variation on a political theme: insults and endorsements among the great composers. Invectives hurled at their colleagues and competitors were effective means of shaping public opinion. Whether positive, negative or the all-too-common flip-flop, classical-music criticism, just like political commentary, is little more than biased opinion in time.

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Titanic is a guilty pleasure. It's a really good score that will forever be best (worst?) remembered for the Celine Dion song, which will always be adored by legions of teenage girls everywhere, and for the sappy romantic epic for which it was scored. The movie's ok once in a while every few years, but I still appreciate the score for its interesting and beautiful moments.

Perfectly written and agreed with.

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He is right on the money. But Williams is not the only talented guy in film music, Previn needs to listen to Morricone too. :) And...

Well I think most of the composers on par with Williams are dead.

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He is right on the money. But Williams is not the only talented guy in film music, Previn needs to listen to Morricone too. ;) And...

Well I think most of the composers on par with Williams are dead.

Of course, Williams isn't the only talented composer in the business, but his work is musically complex enough (in full command of the symphonic idiom) to stand on its own.

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Lots of film music stands on it's own. Maybe it won't necessarily have a traditional symphonic development or structure, but people don't generally listen to music for it's form. Rather for the emotion, melody, harmony, orchestration and rhythm. ;)

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Lots of film music stands on it's own. Maybe it won't necessarily have a traditional symphonic development or structure, but people don't generally listen to music for it's form. Rather for the emotion, melody, harmony, orchestration and rhythm. :happybday:

Maybe you're right when we're talking about people in general. I always have a tendency to favor music that is ambitious in a way or that has a certain complexity. I think most film music doesn't survive when removed from its context. Heck, I think most film music isn't all that interesting during the movie. It's the reason why I have very little film music, other than John Williams, of course. Morricone is a man whom I certainly admire but I get tired of his music very rapidly. He writes music that is instantly likable but that somehow wears off quickly too. It's not as explorable as the music of Williams or Stravinsky.

Alex

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Lots of film music stands on it's own. Maybe it won't necessarily have a traditional symphonic development or structure, but people don't generally listen to music for it's form. Rather for the emotion, melody, harmony, orchestration and rhythm. :lol:

Maybe you're right when we're talking about people in general. I always have a tendency to favor music that is ambitious in a way or that has a certain complexity. I think most film music doesn't survive when removed from its context. Heck, I think most film music isn't all that interesting during the movie. It's the reason why I have very little film music, other than John Williams, of course. Morricone is a man whom I certainly admire but I get tired of his music very rapidly. He writes music that is instantly likable but that somehow wears off quickly too. It's not as explorable as the music of Williams or Stravinsky.

Alex

Ohh I fully agree. I was just question the value of a strict structure like a concerto or symphony. Film music can be very complex but is more... free following.

And there are many great film composers beside Williams, mostly all dead now though. Korngold, rozsa, north, herrmann, goldsmith.

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