Zappa for Chamber Orchestra

ASTuba · Post by **ASTuba** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:32 pm

Hi everyone,

I am playing two Frank Zappa pieces with our modern chamber orchestra here at Eastman, and I was hoping to get some information from people who have played these.

I'm playing The Dog Breath Variations/Uncle Meat aka Dog/Meat and Outrage at Valdez. Any help/experience with these would be greatly appreciated!!!

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:05 pm

Just make sure you eat your greens!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOuAV-R9Qm8

OldsRecording · Post by **OldsRecording** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:57 pm

Dylan King wrote:Just make sure you eat your greens!

But don't eat the yellow snow! (Watch out where the huskies go...)

dmmorris · Post by **dmmorris** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:38 pm

I haven't played any of these.......but ...........

I'd email Ray Stewart w/ Meridian Arts Ensemble. check their sites:
He and the MAE have prolly spent more time playing Zappa charts than just about anyone, with the possible exception of the Ensemble Modern. Ray is usually VERY approachable via email as long as he's in the US. He teaches out of SUNY Fredonia.

Ray Stewart:
http://www.myspace.com/olddangster

MAE:
http://www.meridianartsensemble.com/
http://www.myspace.com/meridianartsensemble

Ensemble Modern:
http://www.ensemble-modern.com/english/index.htm

Listen to the original recordings....a lot!

"Outrage at Valdez" - is one of my personal all-time-fav's from Zappa's "The Yellow Shark"...recorded by the Ensemble Modern.

"Uncle Meat" - Rules....simply Rules!!

ASTuba · Post by **ASTuba** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:29 pm

I've bought the Ensemble Modern recording already, but I was wondering if anyone has performed this piece on here that I could talk to about strategies/tips and the sort.

For those of you who've never seen any of these parts, they're very high (the Meat goes up to a Eb in the Treble Clef), rhythmic and loud passages.

Thanks for the help so far.