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Artist
Oscar Levant
12+ albums
pianojazzcomposersamericanunder 2000 listeners
about
Oscar Levant (December 27, 1906 – August 14, 1972) was an American pianist, composer, author, comedian, and actor. He was as famous for his mordant character and witticisms, on the radio and in movies and television, as for his music. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1906 to an Orthodox Jewish family from Russia, Levant moved to New York in 1922, following the death of his father, Max. He began studying under Zygmunt Stojowski, a well-established piano pedagogue. In 1924, aged 18, he appeared with Ben Bernie in a short film, Ben Bernie and All the Lads, made in New York City in the DeForest Phonofilm sound-on-film system. In 1928, Levant traveled to Hollywood where his career took a turn for the better. During his stay, he met and befriended George Gershwin. From 1929 to 1948 he composed the music for more than twenty movies. During this period, he also wrote or co-wrote numerous popular songs that made the Hit Parade, the most noteworthy being "Blame It on My Youth" (1934), now considered a standard. Around 1932, Levant began composing seriously. He studied under Arnold Schoenberg and impressed him sufficiently to be offered an assistantship (which he turned down, considering himself unqualified). His formal studies led to a request by Aaron Copland to play at the Yaddo Festival of contemporary American music on April 30 of that year. Successful, Levant began composing a new orchestral work, a sinfonietta. He married actress Barbara Woodell; they divorced in 1932. In 193
top songs
1
Blame It on My Youth (Arr. for Piano & Vibraphone) [Live]
1,5602Blame It On My Youth (Arr. for Vibraphone & Piano) - Live
6083Third Movement (Allegro Agitato)
4474Concerto in F - 3rd Movement
1925Medley: My Cousin In Milwaukee / A Foggy Day / The Half-Of-It Dearie Blues / But Not For Me - Outtake
1556Gershwin: Concerto In F - 3. Allegro Agitato
1517Medley: We Would Get Married (Love Walked In) [Outtake] / I Don't Think I'll Fall in Love Today
1498Liza
1459A Foggy Day - Outtake
11610Three Preludes
111albums
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The Essential George Gershwin
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The Gershwin Moment: Rhapsody in Blue & Piano Concerto in F Major (Live)
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Oscar Levant Plays Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, Scott and Prokofiev
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A Rhapsody in Blue - The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant
Levant Plays Gershwin
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The Essential George Gershwin [Disc 1]
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Gershwin's Greatest Hits
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Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F & Rhapsody in Blue
Oscar Levant - Some Pleasant Moments in the 20th Century
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An American In Paris: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Deluxe Edition)
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Fabulous British Dance Bands: Ray Noble, Vol.1 (Recordings 1931-1935) Featuring Al Bowlly
Oscar Levant Plays Popular Moderns