ZAPPA
Dave J.G.
Has anybody here heard any of Frank Zappa's Classical recordings? I've been
listening to a lot of Zappa lately but haven't bought any of his Classical
CD's. Any recommendations on which to get first?
Dave
David J. Grossman
daveg -AT- unpronounceable -DOT- com
http://www.unpronounceable.com/daves/
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Dave J.G.
>I cannot quote the label, or the pieces, so I am not much help. But I
>borrowed a Zappa CD from our library a few weeks back, mainly on the basis
>that Boulez was conducting some of the pieces with his Ensemble
>Intercontemporain. I will check this out at the library for you, when next
>there, and let you know. Interesting pieces, and reminded me a bit of
>Glass, mixed in with some Varese for added bite. Boulez obviously thinks
>highly of Zappa, else he wouldn't record it.
I saw that one at Music Boulevard. I think there are at least 2 others that
are strictly classical-oriented. He's thrown in some Classical influences in
many of his works though. I recently rented the Zappa movie 200 Motels which
was rather interesting. I think the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra backed him
up on that one. Didn't see much of Frank in that flick though. Mostly just
Ringo Starr dressed up as Zappa.
Dave
Raymond Hall
<372e...@news.newsfeeds.com>...
>
> Has anybody here heard any of Frank Zappa's Classical recordings? I've
been
> listening to a lot of Zappa lately but haven't bought any of his
Classical
> CD's. Any recommendations on which to get first?
>
I cannot quote the label, or the pieces, so I am not much help. But I
borrowed a Zappa CD from our library a few weeks back, mainly on the basis
that Boulez was conducting some of the pieces with his Ensemble
Intercontemporain. I will check this out at the library for you, when next
there, and let you know. Interesting pieces, and reminded me a bit of
Glass, mixed in with some Varese for added bite. Boulez obviously thinks
highly of Zappa, else he wouldn't record it.
| Ray Hall <hallr...@bigpond.com>
Raymond Hall
> >borrowed a Zappa CD from our library a few weeks back, mainly on the
basis
> >that Boulez was conducting some of the pieces with his Ensemble
> >Intercontemporain. I will check this out at the library for you, when
next
> >there, and let you know. Interesting pieces, and reminded me a bit of
> >Glass, mixed in with some Varese for added bite. Boulez obviously thinks
> >highly of Zappa, else he wouldn't record it.
>
>
that
> are strictly classical-oriented. He's thrown in some Classical influences
in
> many of his works though. I recently rented the Zappa movie 200 Motels
which
> was rather interesting. I think the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra backed
him
> up on that one. Didn't see much of Frank in that flick though. Mostly
just
> Ringo Starr dressed up as Zappa.
>
Am glad you identified the CD I probably borrowed. It was quite enjoyable.
BTW, what mandatory Zappa (in mainly classical mode), is available? It is
the works I am mainly interested in. He seems quite eclectic, with
borrowings and ideas from many different composers.
| Ray Hall <hallr...@bigpond.com>
Dave J.G.
>BTW, what mandatory Zappa (in mainly classical mode), is available? It is
>the works I am mainly interested in. He seems quite eclectic, with
>borrowings and ideas from many different composers.
Here's Music Boulevard's Zappa section listing:
http://www.musicblvd.com/cgi-bin/tw/0114857022925801927_42_77495
The ones that I think are considered in the Classical genre are:
London Symphony Orchestra Vol. 1 & 2
Orchestral Favorites
The Perfect Stranger ( Boulez )
Strictly Genteel
The Yellow Shark
I haven't heard any of these though. I did check out an audio clip or two
which I liked.
Jazz From Hell is good. It's not really classical but it's not as wierd as
much of his music. ( not that wierd is bad. ) Joe's Garage, Hot Rats, Ship
Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch, and Zoot Allures are among my
favorites.
Here's a short article I found at MB:
--------------------------
by Andrew Colton, CI Classical Review
June 1997
Strictly Genteel: A "Classical" Introduction to Frank Zappa (Rykodisc).
(Includes music from Uncle Meat; Sleep Dirt; Orchestral Favorites; The
Yellow Shark; Hot Rats; The Lost Episodes; Weasels Ripped My Flesh; Boulez
conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger; Francesco Zappa; Burnt Weeny Sandwich;
Jazz from Hell; London Symphony Orchestra, Volumes I & II). Various
performers. RYKODISC. A?D. Total Time: 67:07.
RATING: 7
Frank Zappa was an American original, comparable in many ways to Charles
Ives or Henry Cowell. In fact, Zappa’s musical hero was the great musical
innovator, Edgar Varese. But, because he worked most visibly as a rock
musician, Zappa’s music is generally ignored by the classical music
mainstream.
I hope that this compilation disc, Strictly Genteel, will do more to promote
an appreciation of Zappa’s art among classical music lovers. However, I have
a sneaking suspicion that this disc is going to be purchased primarily by
open-minded and adventurous popular music fans. I hope this is just my
inherent pessimism at work, but I would guess that the average classical CD
shopper who gives this album a once-over and sees titles like "Dog Breath
Variations," "Uncle Meat," "Duke of Prunes" and "Bob in Dacron" will move on
to safer fare.
What’s so great about Zappa--besides his delicious irreverence--is his
stylistic breadth. He can swing from funk-laden synth-jazz to gnarly
atonality with astonishing ease and effectiveness, as this disc amply
demonstrates. Made up of purely-instrumental chunks from Zappa’s recorded
oeuvre--including his "classical" albums, rock albums and those
in-between--this abbreviated retrospective provides a rather dizzying
pinball-like profile of this multi-faceted musician. It’s best approached as
a sampler, giving classically-oriented Zappa neophytes a way to navigate
through his extensive discography.
There are some real gems here, though. "Dupree’s Paradise" from Boulez
conducts Zappa: The Perfect Stranger is a small masterpiece, full of
dramatic surprises, inventive textures and tight motivic cohesion. "Pedro’s
Dowry" from Orchestral Favorites is more experimental, full of complicated
rhythms, mercurial changes of mood and electronic interpolations, all
garnished with a wonderfully naughty sense of humor. "Outrage at Valdez"
from The Yellow Shark is another world entirely: atmospheric and thoughtful,
with a notably Spanish flavor (reminiscent of Ravel’s tone-paintings).
Personally, I think the best introduction for the classical aficionado is
the Boulez conducts Zappa album, though admittedly that only gives a narrow
view of the composer’s style. So, if you don’t know Zappa at all, this disc
is probably a good place to start. Recommended.
--Andrew Colton
-------------------------
Raymond Hall
enjoyable.
> >BTW, what mandatory Zappa (in mainly classical mode), is available? It
is
> >the works I am mainly interested in. He seems quite eclectic, with
> >borrowings and ideas from many different composers.
>
>
> Here's Music Boulevard's Zappa section listing:
> http://www.musicblvd.com/cgi-bin/tw/0114857022925801927_42_77495
>
> The ones that I think are considered in the Classical genre are:
>
> London Symphony Orchestra Vol. 1 & 2
> Orchestral Favorites
> The Perfect Stranger ( Boulez )
> Strictly Genteel
> The Yellow Shark
>
> I haven't heard any of these though. I did check out an audio clip or two
> which I liked.
>
> Jazz From Hell is good. It's not really classical but it's not as wierd
as
> much of his music. ( not that wierd is bad. ) Joe's Garage, Hot Rats,
Ship
> Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch, and Zoot Allures are among my
> favorites.
>
Many thanks for the very interesting article. I just knew there was a
Varese influence in his music (I'll give myself a kudo for that).
Incidentally, there was a Zappa thread some months ago, which you might
find interesting, if you search Dejavu news, but I have never done a search
there yet so can't be of help in this regard.
I am sure that with titles such as "Dog Breath Variations" and "Weasels
Ripped my Flesh", Zappa isn't going to convert too many classical buffs who
don't know his music. That may be a pity, and I note that Erik Satie wasn't
averse to giving some interesting titles to many pieces either, if not
quite so extreme. But then, a Zappa thread has appeared here before, and
with the endorsement of Boulez, we can consider him classical.
I note your post with interest, and will make some enquiries.
Perhaps some other Zappa afficionados might like to comment?
Regards,
| Ray Hall <hallr...@bigpond.com>
Chloe Pajerek
> Perhaps some other Zappa afficionados might like to comment?
>
> | Ray Hall <hallr...@bigpond.com>
While I am a big FZ fan, I can't say that his "classical" efforts are all
that noteworthy. Probably the best intro, and the best argument
in favor of these works, is "The Yellow Shark", performances by
Ensemble Modern conducted by Peter Eotvos.
Those familiar with Zappa's rock albums know that there is
a strong satirical streak that runs through them, and the same
is present in the classical works.
- Chloe
Robert H. Risch
>Those familiar with Zappa's rock albums know that there is
>a strong satirical streak that runs through them, and the same
>is present in the classical works.
I'm not familiar with his work. What are the targets of his satire?
Thanks.
Dave J.G.
>>Those familiar with Zappa's rock albums know that there is
>>a strong satirical streak that runs through them, and the same
>>is present in the classical works.
>
>I'm not familiar with his work. What are the targets of his satire?
An easier question would be 'What *aren't* the targets of his satire?'.
There is a compilation of Zappa material called 'Have I Offended Someone?'
which includes songs such as 'Catholic Girls', 'Jewish Princess', 'In
France', 'Disco Boy', 'Titties and Beer', 'Valley Girl' ( he got a Grammy
for that one ) ... etc. ... It is all in the interest of humor.
Robert H. Risch
>
>>>Those familiar with Zappa's rock albums know that there is
>>>a strong satirical streak that runs through them, and the same
>>>is present in the classical works.
>>
>>I'm not familiar with his work. What are the targets of his satire?
>
>
>An easier question would be 'What *aren't* the targets of his satire?'.
>There is a compilation of Zappa material called 'Have I Offended Someone?'
>which includes songs such as 'Catholic Girls', 'Jewish Princess', 'In
>France', 'Disco Boy', 'Titties and Beer', 'Valley Girl' ( he got a Grammy
>for that one ) ... etc. ... It is all in the interest of humor.
>
> Dave
It sound like Zappa indulged in the same type of fun as Satie, Rossini
(Sins of my old age), Mussorsky (Sigmund Goldberg and Schmulye). I
suppose you might call that stuff 'musical parody'. Is Zappa's work along
the same lines?
now see hear!
<7gmsp7$ipk$1...@node17.cwnet.frontiernet.net>...
<snip>
>Probably the best intro, and the best argument
>in favor of these works, is "The Yellow Shark", performances by
>Ensemble Modern conducted by Peter Eotvos.
Excellent recommendation. I recommended these brilliant works and equally
brilliant performances in a recent thread. Although Eotvos is a superb
conductor, the conductor on the recording is Peter Rundel.
Kind regards,
Anthony Kershaw, Editor/Publisher
@udiophilia - The Online Journal for the Serious Audiophile
http://www.audiophilia.com
An electronic publication of Audiophilia, Inc.
Mr. Mike
>Has anybody here heard any of Frank Zappa's Classical recordings? I've been
>listening to a lot of Zappa lately but haven't bought any of his Classical
>CD's. Any recommendations on which to get first?
The Yellow Shark.
Mr. Mike
wrote:
>I'm not familiar with his work. What are the targets of his satire?
Zappa made quite a good living out of satirizing anything and
everybody...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Mike's True Crime Books For Sale -- http://www.truecrime.net/books
Dave J.G.
>It sound like Zappa indulged in the same type of fun as Satie, Rossini
>(Sins of my old age), Mussorsky (Sigmund Goldberg and Schmulye). I
>suppose you might call that stuff 'musical parody'. Is Zappa's work along
>the same lines?
I'm not familiar with the works you are probably thinking of but I think it
is probably somewhat along those lines.
Dave J.G.
>
>The Yellow Shark.
Thanks. I've heard that one recommended a few times now so I'll get that one
first.
Charles Blandy
tunes, etc. Has anyone heard this? (Is this the wrong NG to ask a question about
PD?)
BTW, "Welcome to the United States" on Yellow Shark is a hoot: a musical "setting"
of an INS document.
"Dave J.G." wrote:
> Has anybody here heard any of Frank Zappa's Classical recordings? I've been
> listening to a lot of Zappa lately but haven't bought any of his Classical
> CD's. Any recommendations on which to get first?
>
> Dave
>
> David J. Grossman
> daveg -AT- unpronounceable -DOT- com
> http://www.unpronounceable.com/daves/
>
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Chloe Pajerek
> On 4 May 1999 13:30:15 GMT, qpc...@frontiernet.net (Chloe Pajerek) wrote:
>
> >Those familiar with Zappa's rock albums know that there is
> >a strong satirical streak that runs through them, and the same
> >is present in the classical works.
>
> I'm not familiar with his work. What are the targets of his satire?
Almost everything in American culture! He seems particularly acidic
on the topic of Life in Suburbia.
> Thanks.
- Chloe
Chloe Pajerek
> It sound like Zappa indulged in the same type of fun as Satie, Rossini
> (Sins of my old age), Mussorsky (Sigmund Goldberg and Schmulye). I
> suppose you might call that stuff 'musical parody'. Is Zappa's work along
> the same lines?
In a way. Much of Zappa's music is laughter-provoking, even if you don't
know the titles or listen to the words.
OTOH: Zappa at his best exhibits a quality and complexity of musical thought,
and a level of technical wizardry, that brings his music to another level
entirely. For those who are approaching Zappa from a non-rock background,
I would suggest "Jazz from Hell" as an intro. Then check out the "classical"
CD's like "Yellow Shark" or "Strictly Genteel".
- Chloe
ManrayHawk
Nope. Zappa's classical works are completely in earnest. He wrote in a
modernist idiom distinctly his own, although Stravinsky and Varese were
influences. He was quite familiar with the music of Schoenberg, Boulez, et al,
and once pointed out to Boulez that the conductor Boulez did not follow the
composer Boulez's metronome markings in his early 60's recording of Le marteau
sans maitre.
-david gable
Gabriel Côté
<19990519001937...@ng-cf1.aol.com>, manra...@aol.com
(ManrayHawk) wrote (écrivait) :
Zappa has surely listened to Hindemith's Kammermusik (specially the No.1).
The first time I heard this piece, I said to myself: «Hey,it's Zappa's
music!»
Gabriel Cote
Laval University
Quebec City, Canada
Oscar
Oscar
> If you enjoy this double-album as much as me, make sure to check out...
Poor grammar. I'm certain there are plenty who do _not_ enjoy me or my opinions, and I don't want you to miss out on Meat Light, so just...check it out!
jserr...@gmail.com
> I've been listening to Uncle Meat all weekend. If you enjoy this double-album as much as me, make sure to check out Meat Light 3CD on Zappa Records/UME, which includes the original 1968 vinyl mix and 2CDs of an 'original sequence' as 'produced and constructed' by FZ with [engineer] "Dynamite" Dick Kunc at Apostolic Studios, New York.
MiNe109
lost track of the reissues programs, so it's good to have this called to
mind.
Stephen