André Previn’s Fifth Wife: The Life, Art, and Legacy of Anne-Sophie Mutter

Anne-Sophie Mutter, the internationally acclaimed German violin virtuoso, was the fifth wife of legendary composer, pianist, and conductor André Previn. Married from August 2002 until their divorce in 2006, the couple bridged a 34-year age gap through an extraordinary musical alliance. They created landmark classical recordings and dedicated compositions that endured long after their marriage ended.

Who Is Anne-Sophie Mutter?

Anne-Sophie Mutter is widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of the modern era. Born in Rheinfelden, Germany, in 1963, Mutter displayed extraordinary talent at an early age, stepping onto the international stage as a musical prodigy. Her career took off dramatically in the late 1970s when conductor Herbert von Karajan heard her play and invited her to perform with the Berlin Philharmonic at the Salzburg Whitsun Festival in 1977.

By the time she met André Previn, Mutter had built a formidable global career characterized by technical brilliant execution, dramatic expressive depth, and a passionate commitment to expanding the modern violin repertoire. Before her marriage to Previn, Mutter was married to German lawyer Detlef Wunderlich, who tragically died of cancer in 1995, leaving her to raise their two children, Arabella and Richard.

Mutter’s artistic identity is defined not only by her interpretations of classical masters like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johannes Brahms, but also by her active commissioning of contemporary works. Dozens of renowned composers—including Witold Lutosławski, Krzysztof Penderecki, Wolfgang Rihm, Henri Dutilleux, and Sofia Gubaidulina—have written pieces specifically tailored to her expressive abilities and rich, warm tone.

The Union of Previn and Mutter: Romance and Marriage (2002–2006)

André Previn’s personal life was as dynamic as his music. Prior to marrying Mutter, Previn had been married four times: to jazz singer Betty Bennett, lyricist Dory Langan (Dory Previn), actress Mia Farrow, and Heather Sneddon. By the turn of the millennium, Previn was in his seventies, enjoying a celebrated elder-statesman status in world classical music, holding principal guest conductor posts and regularly composing major works.

The Origin of Their Relationship

Previn and Mutter’s romantic connection evolved directly out of their deep artistic respect. The two first collaborated closely in the late 1990s. Previn composed Tango, Song and Dance for Mutter in 1998, a suite for violin and piano that showcased both her fiery virtuosity and his signature blend of classical structures with jazz-inflected rhythms.

As they performed and recorded together across Europe and North America, their professional rapport developed into a quiet romance. The classical music community took notice of their chemistry, though the couple kept details of their private lives away from the tabloids.

The Wedding and Public Reaction

On August 1, 2002, André Previn and Anne-Sophie Mutter were married in a private ceremony in Central Europe. At the time of their wedding, Previn was 73 years old and Mutter was 39. Despite the 34-year age difference, friends and colleagues described their union as a meeting of musical minds.

Unlike Previn’s highly publicized marriage to Hollywood actress Mia Farrow in the 1970s, his marriage to Mutter was centered firmly around the concert hall, recording studios, and shared artistic projects. Mutter frequently remarked on Previn’s incredible musical intelligence, gentle wit, and versatility, while Previn expressed boundless admiration for Mutter’s violin technique and emotional intensity.

Their Amicable Separation

The marriage lasted four years, with the couple quietly divorcing in 2006. The separation was entirely amicable, driven largely by the demanding scheduling constraints of their international touring lives and personal independence. Unlike many high-profile celebrity breakups, their split did not mark the end of their relationship; instead, it refocused their connection entirely on music and a lasting lifelong friendship.

Major Musical Collaborations Created During and For Their Partnership

The personal bond between André Previn and Anne-Sophie Mutter generated an extraordinary artistic legacy, yielding major additions to the 21st-century violin repertoire and several award-winning recordings for Deutsche Grammophon.

The Violin Concerto "Anne-Sophie"

The centerpiece of Previn’s compositions for Mutter is his Violin Concerto ("Anne-Sophie"), commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Previn wrote the concerto between 2001 and 2002 specifically tailored to Mutter’s expressive strengths—notably her lush lower register, immaculate pitch, and ability to sustain extremely long lyrical lines.

1. First Movement (Moderato): Opens with a soaring, romantic melody played by the solo violin over atmospheric orchestral colors, interweaving quiet reflection with virtuosic cadenza passages.
2. Second Movement (Andante): Features deep, contemplative writing, reflecting Previn’s reflective lyrical style and subtle harmonic shifts.
3. Third Movement (Passacaglia / Allegro molto): A lively, technically demanding finale structured around a repeating bass motif, offering the violinist explosive passages and rhythmic vitality.

Mutter premiered the work with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Previn’s baton in March 2002, just months before their wedding. Their recording of the concerto earned a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra.

Recordings and Historic Performance Tours

Together, Previn and Mutter recorded extensively. Beyond Previn’s own original compositions, Previn conducted orchestral backdrops for Mutter in seminal standard repertoire:

• Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Violin Concerto: Previn’s deep background as an Oscar-winning Hollywood film composer made him a natural conductor for Korngold’s cinematic masterpiece, recorded with Mutter and the London Symphony Orchestra.
• Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto: A highly praised studio recording capturing the romantic fire of Mutter’s tone combined with Previn’s transparent orchestral balancing.
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Violin Concertos: Previn led from the piano or conductor's podium in celebrated live recordings and television broadcasts across Europe.

Contextualizing Previn’s Five Marriages

André Previn’s life history included five distinct chapters of marriage, reflecting his diverse artistic phases spanning Hollywood film scoring, jazz performance, classical conducting, and composition.

While Previn’s previous marriages brought him into the worlds of Hollywood, popular songcraft, and celebrity culture, his marriage to Anne-Sophie Mutter represented a late-career artistic synthesis, placing him at the absolute pinnacle of contemporary classical composition and performance.

Their Relationship Post-Divorce: Friendship and Continuing Legacy

The divorce in 2006 did not diminish the artistic synergy between Previn and Mutter. In fact, their creative musical partnership continued unbroken for more than a decade after their legal separation.

Continued Commissions and World Premieres

Previn continued to write music for Mutter well into his eighties. In 2009, he composed the Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra for Mutter and cellist Lynn Harrell. In 2014, he authored the Nonet for Strings, dedicated to Mutter and her violin ensemble, the Mutter Virtuosi.

Mutter remained one of Previn’s most vocal champions on the concert stage. She systematically programmed his works on her global tours, ensuring that his violin music entered the permanent standard repertoire alongside 20th-century masters.

Previn's Passing in 2019 and Mutter's Tributes

When André Previn died on February 28, 2019, at his home in Manhattan at the age of 89, Anne-Sophie Mutter released a poignant public statement celebrating his life and legacy. She described him as a musical polymath, a deeply cherished friend, and a profound influence on her artistic life.

In the years following his death, Mutter has maintained her dedication to Previn's musical catalog. She routinely includes his solo works, chamber pieces, and concertos in festival programs, perpetuating his memory not just as her former husband, but as one of the most versatile musical minds of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was André Previn’s fifth wife?

André Previn’s fifth wife was Anne-Sophie Mutter, the world-renowned German classical violin virtuoso. They were married from August 2002 until their divorce in 2006.

How old were André Previn and Anne-Sophie Mutter when they married?

When they married in August 2002, André Previn was 73 years old and Anne-Sophie Mutter was 39 years old, representing a 34-year age gap.

Did André Previn write music specifically for Anne-Sophie Mutter?

Yes. Previn composed several major works for Mutter, including his acclaimed Violin Concerto ("Anne-Sophie"), Tango, Song and Dance, the Concerto for Violin and Cello, and his Nonet for Strings.

Why did André Previn and Anne-Sophie Mutter divorce?

The couple divorced amicably in 2006 primarily due to the pressures of their demanding, separate international touring schedules and professional commitments. They remained close personal friends and collaborative artistic partners until Previn’s death in 2019.

Did André Previn marry again after Anne-Sophie Mutter?

No. Anne-Sophie Mutter was André Previn’s fifth and final wife. Following their 2006 divorce, Previn did not remarry before his passing in February 2019.

Practical Recommendations for Classical Music Enthusiasts

For listeners, students, and collectors looking to explore the artistic partnership between André Previn and Anne-Sophie Mutter, the following steps provide an ideal entry point:

1. Listen to the Key Recording: Acquire or stream the Deutsche Grammophon recording of André Previn: Violin Concerto "Anne-Sophie" / Korngold: Violin Concerto, performed by Anne-Sophie Mutter with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by André Previn.
2. Explore Chamber Music: Listen to Tango, Song and Dance (1998), which highlights the intimate musical dialogue between Mutter on violin and Previn at the piano keyboard.
3. Compare Interpretations: Compare Mutter's recordings of classic repertoire (such as the Tchaikovsky or Mozart concertos) conducted by Previn against her earlier recordings under Herbert von Karajan to hear how Previn's flexible, jazz-influenced conductorial approach influenced her phrasing.
4. Study the Scores: For music scholars and violinists, obtain the performance scores of Previn's violin works published by G. Schirmer / Chester Music to study how Previn tailored double-stops, bowings, and lyrical lines directly to Mutter's unique technical capabilities.