Mr. Peterson is easily one of the most intelligent people to ever to walk this earth. His gifts are simply beyond measure. Please notice just how much he pays attention to his surroundings and the people he speaks with. He has a gift so great he should be studied by all musicians!!
Oscar and Andre delightfully manage to make every pianist in the world feel like a schlump and at the same time inspire all of us to reach for whatever sliver of greatness is within each of us.
We have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise. You never get tired of replaying Oscar, dare I say it - the greatest Jazz pianist, a man of inventive genius who hasn't real left us when we have all of those great recordings to enjoy.
This is one of the greatest interviews I've ever watched in my life. Two extraordinary, intelligent musicians in ego-less conversation, how inspiring! You can feel the mutual respect and the admiration. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The soft tone of Oscar and Andre talking to each other as if there's no audience, no one in the room and with all the time in the world to spare. Their memories about all these wonderful musicians, their friendship-like effortless chatting. And then every once in awhile the pure gold of them playing. Sigh! :)
Another beautiful happening. Oscar is so quick minded with his responses to Andre’s questions. Thoughtful, insightful, truthful and historically centered answers. I just got an advanced degree in music just watching and listening to this tonight!
Magnificent! Mr.Peterson is not only a virtuoso, maestro, pianist genius, his intellect, humor and musicality is incomparable. He’s an educator and Andre Previn is a superb interviewer and musician. His admiration for Mr. Peterson is palpable and I wish I had seen this sooner in my life. I love this interview, I love their interaction and the respect for the other musicians and each other. Thank you for this treasure of music and for the education. Phenomenal! Mr. Peterson is incomparable!!! MBT 1/14/2024
I wish as a human being I had Oscar Peterson’s highly commendable humility and humbleness …but for me to wish for his great genius and wisdom would be to wish for the impossible of filling a glass with a hole in its bottom with the very best of wines. And what a great conversationalist …a complete joy to both listen to and hear play! Great musician …great man!
Thanks for this, artfrob. It is a pleasure to listen to a conversation between two very intelligent and skilled musicians. This is my first real exposure to Oscar Peterson and he is a fantastic talent. One interesting extra: I find Andre's and Oscar's voices extremely soothing. If more people spoke in such a well-mannered way we'd probably be better listeners.
Beautifully said, Joan . . . musically speaking, this conversation is a smile AND a MASTERCLASS in staying true to yourself in style and substance. Happy playing and listening : ))
Freaking brilliant answer to that first question. Instead of saying something demeaning to the other players inability to 'keep up' he simply states that it allows him the freedom to improvise with more spontaneity. Incredibly sick talent. Good lord I am a Rock guitarist who is now anxious to go out an hear some Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson recordings. Phenomenal stuff.
So cute: OP confessing hearing Art Tatum, giving up piano for 2 mos. and crying at night! OP is my favorite jazz pianist, plus I love what a sweet soul he was.
The word "genius" is tossed around to describe musicians. Oscar is among the very few who deserve the appellation. I'm referring to his musicianship, but in addition, he is among the rare musicians who are very articulate---able to describe whatever with nuance.
I heard oscar wanted to drop out of school because he told his father all he could think about was chords. His father said ok if you're going to be the best. I'd say he fulfilled that requirement!!
These guys are the ones I emulated growing up to play like them and learn all they knew so I can play like them. Now playing bass for 56 years now, just discovered this, SCARY HOW TIME DOES FLY.
A thing people don't talk about so much with regard to Oscar is the fact that he's probably the best comper in the business. He never takes the easy way out when someone else is soloing, he invents! And it's never obtrusive or distracting, just the perfect melodic and harmonic accompaniment.
I agree you with you, but there are definitely those who have different opinions and think his comping style is very intrusive (most of them are bass players)
Niels Henning always seemed to enjoy playing with him - there's an element of counterpoint in Oscar's comping which, I suppose, might put a less flexible bassplayer off. I used to work with an otherwise excellent guitarist who would just panic if anyone tried to do anything other than just chug out the chords during his solos - he couldn't handle counterpoint or call-and-response-type playing unless it was rehearsed. I hear lots of places for other (fast-thinking!) people to play in Oscar's comping. Art Tatum would, I suspect, be a different matter.
Given the paucity of good music these days, this is an oasis. I love the breadth of BOTH musicians, and OP's breakdowns are mesmerizing. Most of all, his adoration of Tatum - unknown today - is a master musician acknowledging the musician's musician
I remember watching this live, many,, many, years ago. I remember, probably erroneously, that the program went way beyond it's allotted time, but they just kept rolling late into the night. Even the crew realized something special was happening.
Have mercy, that blues he plays at 38:02 is the thing. Beyond just his ability to summon speed and dexterity his feel for the music, and the blues in particular, was absolute.
Effortless admiration, skill laughter musicality respect and great story telling; these were the days when music was everything it was the instrument that shaped our lives- thank you both very much
I was thinking the very same thing. I almost enjoy listening to Oscar Peterson talk as I do hearing him play. Almost. He is just SO entertaining doing either.
This was a master class in Jazz appreciation. And such a great rapport between these two: At 20:23, Previn says, “Nat Cole not only knew what to play, but . . .” And Peterson finishes the statement almost simultaneously with Previn, “. . . what to leave out.”
Jools Holland has started to do interviews like this since lockdown. Not at this level, but they've been interesting. BBC 4 still has plenty of excellent music documentaries as well, which is where I first watched this about 12-13 years ago. Made me appreciate Andrew Preview all the more.
Utterly mesmerising: Both! Thankfully too, no one "whoo-hoo-ing", whistling or shrieking after the musical interludes to spoil. The conversation oh so fluid and respectful without indulging in egoism. Why are there no Grammies for such joyous events.
So amazingly awesome--like getting to hear Mozart's and Beethoven's speak of their musical influences and contemporary insights--OP is among the greatest western genre musicians ever.
Saw/heard Peterson play at a concert in the late 1970's He played two tunes solo...I had always loved/respected him as a giant of the keyboard. I can't tell you if each tune lasted 3 minutes or 12 minutes...Oscar truly "stopped the show" and made time stand still as the old line goes....Unbelievable talent....
And the humanity stopped me in my tracks. I was in a recording studio with Garth Hudson (of The Band), and suddenly in the control room I heard this fabulous music and I asked the studio owner/engineer, Who is that? Oscar....
This is wonderful, thank you for posting. As someone mentioned... two articulate, musically mature artists speaking about the highest levels of both classical & jazz. Will watch this a few times.
I am self learning the piano. 3 years now. Trying to learn more about people like this. Nrver heard of him. Seems extremely intelligent. Amazing player
Sinatra once said that when he was a new singer everyone wanted to be Bing Crosby. He thought there were enough Crosby’s and he did not want to fall into that trap. Peterson had the same revelation about Art Tatum.
You could always see and hear in O.P.’s voice and demeanor that he was incredibly grateful for the gift of music and his incomparable talent as a pianist. Music was his high; his one true addiction - he had no need for drugs. To him using drugs would have equated with the betrayal of his musical passion. For a uniquely talented and loving human being and family man like O.P. betrayal never figured into the equation of life. As far as he was concerned it was already bad enough that he had to spend so much time on the road and away from his loved ones. His incredible musical genius and virtuosity were only matched by his eloquence and the strength of his character.
Such a great pity that this isn't the complete broadcast, since it cuts out the finale where Oscar P and Andre P end by playing a duet together, which was a highlight, and indeed the most memorable part of the whole programme!
what a treat great education this is music at its best the piano all by itself jazz at its finest Oscar Peterson and Andre Previn a great musician pianist conductor History wow
