André Previn dies at age 89

André Previn, May 8, 2013, Lincoln Center in New York – GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

Regent and composer André Previn, a virtuoso known for mastering classical music and jazz, died on Thursday (28) at age 89.

The prolific German-American musician, who won four Oscars and ten Grammys, was famous for his extensive repertoire as an artist. He was a jazz pianist, film composer, conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.

"We are very saddened to learn of the death of our director emeritus Andre Previn," the London Symphony Orchestra said in a statement. "Everyone will miss him (…) and will be remembered with great affection … I hope he always plays all the correct notes in the correct order".

Previn was born in Berlin on April 6, 1929. His father enrolled him in the music conservatory of the German capital at the age of six, after realizing that the boy had heard absolute.

The family fled Nazi Germany in 1939 and settled in Los Angeles, where Previn's great-uncle was the musical director of the Universal movie studios.

The young man became a talented jazz pianist and began working at MGM studios in 1946 while studying at a high school educational institute.

His successful filmwriting career led him to win four Academy Awards, including one in 1964 for "My Fair Lady," starring Audrey Hepburn.

In the 1960s, he left film studies to devote himself to classical music. In addition to his work at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, he directed the symphony orchestras of Houston and Pittsburgh, and was often the guest director of ensembles around the world.

Previn was married five times, one of them with actress Mia Farrow, with whom she had three biological children.

He also adopted three other children with Farrow, including Soon-Yi, who was married in 1997 to American film director Woody Allen, the actress's ex-husband.

"See you in the morning, dear friend," Farrow tweeted, who published several pictures of when they were a couple. "May you rest in glorious symphonies."