In the twenty-first century, it might be hard to find a classical pianist who possesses all the abilities of a performer, composer, and conductor. The strenuous routine of performing and learning new music to expand one’s repertoire leaves a classical pianist little time to devote on other fields. Andre Previn (1929- ) is a successful musician who deserves recognition as a pianist, composer, and conductor, which is a rarity.
Because of Previn’s multiple influences, from performing as a classical musician in his youth, to arranging diverse music at MGM, to being principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1968-1979, the style of his piano compositions are varied and not easy to portray. This is especially true for pianists who have been trained as classical musicians and have no jazz background.
Variations on a Theme by Haydn (1990) and The Invisible Drummer (1974) are piano solo works written during Previn’s “classical” period. However, the style of these two works is influenced by Previn’s jazz experience. It becomes a challenge for a purely classically trained pianist to capture both classical and jazz characteristics when performing these works.
Variations on a Theme by Haydn (1990) and The Invisible Drummer (1974) by Andre Previn: An Introduction and Approach to Performance is designed to help classical pianists understand and interpret Previn’s works for solo piano by providing formal analyses and performance guidelines. Pianists will learn that by playing Andre Previn’s works, they should portray a jazzy character, encompass a refined sense of rhythm, use alternate techniques for rapid passages, and provide inspired interpretations.
Through this document, pianists will gain insightful information and suggestions on how to produce an artistic performance of Variations on a Theme by Haydn (1990) and The Invisible Drummer (1974). Additionally, musicians will recognize him as a jazz and classical pianist, a conductor, and a composer, which will result in more of his compositions will be performed.