NONFICTION - Nov. 17, 1991

NO MINOR CHORDS: My Days in Hollywood by Andre Previn (Doubleday: $22.50; 142 pp.). More than a quarter-century after leaving Hollywood, conductor, composer and one-time musical prodigy Andre Previn says that although he wouldn’t repeat his 16 years there, he doesn’t regret them, either. It’s easy to see why: Previn writes affectionately of the place, and judging from his way with a story, he must have been a popular party guest. “No Minor Chords” is a splendidly written, often hilarious account of life in the film business, and the fact that Previn left Hollywood long ago for more serious pursuits--and that he was always on the periphery of the action--gives the book a delightfully nostalgic quality. Scoring “Tom and Jerry” cartoons in the morning, playing Ravel after dinner; becoming pals with Lenny Bruce, who stole a set of Mozart’s letters for Previn as a gift--these and similar tales illustrate the main trouble with “No Minor Chords,” which is that it’s much too short. Maestro, encore!