André Previn conducts Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” Overture

Many of the obituaries of André Previn, who died in February this year, refer to his admiration of Leonard Bernstein, whose career as a populariser of the classics was much paralleled by Previn’s own career. He performed Bernstein’s “Candide“ Overture on several occasions, and in this televised transmission from 1971, we see him conducting the London Symphony Orchestra in the capital city’s Royal Festival Hall.

[flylooper]

Previn looks absolutely blissful is this little piece by Bernstein. The two of them are arguably the best musicians this country has ever produced. Previn: a composer, conductor, pianist, totally at home in both idioms (jazz and classical); Bernstein, the classical and Broadway music composer, the teacher, the conductor. I feel so lucky to have watched them in their prime years.

[SPrescott]

Previn.... absolutely full of energy here. So clear and crisp with his direction but all with fire in his eyes too.

Brilliant conducting!!

[CDash]

I know absolutely nothing about classical music but I love this. I keep coming back to it.

[adamxx]

A terrific performance. It could even be better than Lennie's!

[hy]

only 3 timpani, his pedaling is perfect!!!

[lindagranitto]

It’s obvious why the great artist Anne Sophie Mutter married him ❣️🎶

[Mark.Thomas]

No women allowed in the orchestra! Can you imagine? They systematically excluded them.