• Source: London Symphony Orchestra (Zappa albums)

London Symphony Orchestra is a pair of albums by Frank Zappa, featuring his original symphonic compositions conducted by Kent Nagano. They were recorded at the same sessions in January 1983, and originally released as London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. I in 1983, London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. II, in 1987, and later combined and reissued on a Rykodisc CD as London Symphony Orchestra Vol. I & II in 1995.




Background


Volume I features the London Symphony Orchestra performing four instrumental compositions — "Sad Jane", "Pedro's Dowry", "Envelopes", and "Mo 'n Herb's Vacation" — from sessions recorded in January 1983. The album was Zappa's second to employ a full-scale symphony orchestra, following 200 Motels (1971) with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. However, Zappa had previously formed a number of ad hac orchestras to record his classical music (e.g. Lumpy Gravy 1967, Studio Tan 1978, Orchestral Favorites 1979) and big band music (e.g. The Grand Wazoo 1972).
The album was recorded using a digital 24-track Sony PCM-3324 tape recorder. It was one of the earliest digital multitrack recordings of an orchestra. By recording the orchestra with many microphones very close to the instruments the album sounds more detailed than possible with previous stereo recording techniques. Extensive use of editing was employed to fix musical mistakes.
The original vinyl LP recordings were tweaked in the studio to hide out-of-tune and wrong notes as well as to add in a sheen of reverb to further obscure parts. These audio "enhancements" were removed when the recordings were remixed for the compact disc re-issue in 1995. This version of the album was combined with London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. II (1987), and re-released on a Rykodisc CD as London Symphony Orchestra Vol. I & II.




Track listings






= Volume One

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All tracks written, composed and arranged by Frank Zappa.




= Volume Two

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= 1995 remixed and sequenced CD

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Personnel






= Musicians

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The London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kent Nagano
David Ocker – clarinet
Chad Wackerman – drums
Ed Mann – percussion




= Production staff

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Frank Zappa – producer
Mark Pinske – recording engineer
John Vince – cover design
James Stagnita – graphic design (Vol II)
Mark Hanauer – cover photo (Vol II)




References






External links


Album details
Release information

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• London Symphony Orchestra (Zappa albums)
• Frank Zappa discography
• Lumpy Gravy
• Frank Zappa
• List of performers on Frank Zappa records
• Ahead of Their Time
• Mahavishnu Orchestra
• Machine Head (album)
• Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch
• Ed Mann