Performed by ORF-Supercussion. Gerald Fromme arranger & leader. Watch out for the very last note!
-
Archives
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
-
Meta
So Very Orchestral!
So very impressive and precise. I’m sure there isn’t a single Zappa freak who hasn’t gotten the entire Black Page transcribed mentally in their heads from so many repeated hearings (particularly the ZINY versions). I wonder if these orchestras (chamber groups, etc) realize that each and every time they perform this piece, they are both consciously, and subconsciously, being measured by the very listener they are hoping to impress and entertain, the Zappa fan? In this case, they were spot on.
All in all a pretty good performance regardless of the surprise arrangement change that is set up by some monotonous pose
before the ring master rings the podium bell in carnival like fashion.
I have to wonder some of the choices on this arrangement.
Now if they could get all that percussion, xylophone
and marimba why is their the lack of harp or bass presence
with round and driving overtones.
Mmmmm… marimbas… and a nice Big Note at the end to boot! Great find Balint! 🙂
These guys (& gals if i’m not completely mistaken) nail the piece brilliantly. What i don’t like is that they segued the hard version and the easy teenage version, i always perceived these two as separate pieces. I guess that the noodling at around 8:30 and the BIG NOTE at the end are the arranger’s way to give his own personal touch to the piece. As if FZ’s work wasn’t challenging enough… Anyway, this is an excellent and (otherwise) exact performance of a signature FZ composition. Thanks!
An imperfect, yet impressive arrangment of an incandescent Zappa composition.
Pretty cool !
[quote comment=”5405″]An imperfect, yet impressive arrangment of an incandescent Zappa composition.[/quote]
I think you have to say why it is “imperfect” otherwise its a meaningless comment.
That was bloody terrific.. precise and nicely played for a recital type version. The “drum solo” stage of BP1 was really nice with all the unison playing. I also like the shortening mutation of the final 11tuplet riff at the end.. that was pretty cool.
It was, overall, an imperfection, Chuck, because of several mistakes — both rhythmical and melodical — that transpired throughout the duration of this rearranged composition; surely your ears must have picked up on a few, your ears being privy to the same piece as myself?
That’s not to say, however, that any of the blunders detracted too greatly from any delectation I derived from this rendition; indeed, I was down right mesmerized throughout most it, and especially enjoyed the “mutation,” as you call it, that the arranger thought to annex to the end.
I think the reason people attempt the black page is to test their metal. I have a friend who has been playing drums for years and says that the black page is the hardest piece he’s ever had to learn. He said it was like learning to play again.
I just wonder how Frank knew the Terry was playing it right the first time he heard it. Well actually he didn’t I read that Ed and Terry had worked out their own version of it and then when Ruth came back to do the December 1976 shows she played it the way it was written and forced them to learn it correctly too.
Amazing! Thank you for posting/sharing it.
That was bloody fantastic!!! Amazing playing!! Really flowed and kept it’s pace and I reckon Uncle Frankie would have raised an eyebrow if he’d seen this. Thanks for posting this great clip.