Stop everything you're doing and watch André Previn improvise on the piano with Oscar Peterson
2 April 2019, 10:40 | Updated: 2 April 2019, 11:07
Oscar&Andre play together
What happens when two of the finest jazz pianists in history join forces? Well, this. And it's pretty spectacular.
André Previn is as revered as a jazz pianist as he is in the classical world as a conductor and composer. In this clip he shows us just what he can do at the keyboard, alongside jazz legend Oscar Peterson.
In the clip, Previn says: “The last time I played in 4/4 was 12 years ago,” before asking to join Oscar at the piano, saying:
“Humour me. Play something with me, anything. Something slow, easy – a scale.” Turns out it's not so easy.
Read more: Anne-Sophie Mutter on André Previn's genius: ‘His gift was totally, outrageously impressive’ >
The pair embark upon a five-minute jazz improvisation on two pianos, and the result is enough to make you run to the piano and practise your scales (yes, really).
At one point, Previn sits back and lets Oscar Peterson take the reins with a solo, before Peterson does the same and Previn takes the limelight with an elaborate and chromatic improvisation.
They hug it out at the end: a bromance for the ages.
