Previn and the Pittsburgh (1977)
Renowned composer, conductor, and pianist Andre Previn welcomes one or more musical guests for conversation and performance, either accompanied by Mr. Previn on piano or in concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Produced by WQED and syndicated nationally on PBS, the series was notable among musical performance programs for its deft camera work and editing. The episode The Music That Made the Movies was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction.
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Episode 1 - Mozart as Keyboard Prodigy
Release Date: 1977-02-27Previn discusses Mozart's life and genius, performs his "C-Major Sonata for Four Hands" with Patricia Prattis-Jennings, then conducts the symphony in "piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor".
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Episode 2 - Concert of Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky
Release Date: 1977-03-06Previn conducts the symphony in Stravinsky's "Firebird", and soloist Horatio Gutierrez plays Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor".
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Episode 3 - The World of Stephen Sondheim
Release Date: 1977-03-13The award-winning Broadway composer-lyricist talks about his craft and the state of today's musical theatre. Cast members of the London revue "Side by Side by Sondheim" perform three of his songs, including the Grammy-winning "Send In The Clowns".
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Episode 4 - Creating an Impression
Release Date: 1977-03-20Previn and guest Thomas Hoving, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, examine the Impressionistic movement and its influence in music. Previn conducts the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in examples of what they discussed: Debussy's "Afternoon of a Faun", Ravel's "Daphnis and Chloe", and others.
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Episode 5 - Oscar Peterson
Release Date: 1977-03-27Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson joins Previn at the keyboard for a lively two-man show of conversation and music reflecting on Peterson's career and the creation and improvisation of the jazz sound.
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Episode 6 - Why a Rehearsal?
Release Date: 1977-04-03As television cameras observe an actual Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra rehearsal, Previn explains the importance of the rehearsal process.
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Episode 7 - Isaac Stern
Release Date: 1977-04-10Violinist Isaac Stern joins pianist Andre Previn and cellist Michael Grebanier of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for an intimate program of chamber music and conversation.
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Episode 8 - Concert of Brahms and Prokofiev
Release Date: 1977-04-17Previn conducts the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as they perform "Symphony No. 2" by Brahms and "Classical Symphony" by Prokofiev.