75/09/17-18 Los Angeles CA US Royce Hall, UCLA

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Frank Zappa and The Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Orchestra
September 17, 18 and 19, 1975 - Royce Hall, UCLA

The Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Orchestra was put together in September of 1975 to present a series of orchestral pieces written by Frank Zappa. Michael Zearott was the conductor and Frank produced and recorded most of these shows along with special recording sessions. Forty musicians were assembled by Zappa with help from Earle Dumler and Mike Altschul. Frank stated that the cost to present this material was $120,000, twice what it cost to put on the Zubin Mehta, L.A. Philharmonic Contempo Concert that included a special cast of Mothers. Royce Hall at UCLA held 1500 people for two public performances on the 17th and 18th of September 1975, and with as much money as Frank had put into the project, he was sure not to see any profit at the door. So the 18th performance was recorded along with some separate earlier closed recording sessions that day. On the 19th, the Hall was closed for recording only. Much of these performances were released on the album "Orchestral Favorites" a controversial release put out by Warner Brothers against Frank's wishes.

Check out Biffy's Website for more on this. The orchestra seemed to really get into the spirit of the pieces.

Pamela Goldsmith talks about the shows elsewhere on this web site.

Frank said that after the orchestra went through 'Pedro's Dowry' for the first time, there was an ovation from the performers themselves.

Players

guests:

unconfirmed:

additionally:

This is the list of musicians put together from various sources. Big thanks to Charles Ulrich (and the many musicians who he's contacted), Pamela Goldsmith, Bruce Fowler, Don Waldrop, Ralph Grierson, Rob Sweet, Reinhard Preuss, Uli Mrosek, Michael Gula, Roman Garcia Albertos and to Frank for talking on the radio a little about it in 1975.

See also:
The Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra (1975 Orchestral Favorites Incarnation)

Set List

  1. Bogus Pomp
  2. Revised Music for Low Budget Orchestra
  3. Pedro's Dowry
  4. Rollo
  5. Dog Meat
  6. Naval Aviation in Art?
  7. Improvisations
  8. Sink Trap
  9. Duke of Orchestral Prunes
  10. Strictly Genteel

September 18, 1975

  1. Bogus Pomp
  2. Revised Music For Low Budget Symphony Orchestra
  3. Pedro's Dowry
  4. Rollo
  5. Black Napkins
  6. Dog Meat
  7. Naval Aviation In Art?
  8. Sink Trap
  9. Duke Of Orchestral Prunes
  10. Steno Pool/New Brown Clouds (from Greggery Peccary)
  11. Strictly Genteel

Orchestration
Bogus Pomp, Strictly Genteel and Pedro's Dowry
3 Flutes (I doubles Piccolo)
3 Oboes (III doubles English Horn)
3 B flat Clarinets
I doubles E flat Clarinet
II doubles B flat Bass Clarinet
III doubles B flat Contrabass Clarinet
3 Bassoons (III doubles Contrabassoon)
4 French Horns
3 B flat Trumpets (I doubles C Trumpet)
3 Tenor Trombones (III doubles Bass Trombone)
Tuba
Harp Amplified
4 Amplified Strings
Violin I
Violin II
Viola
'Cello
Keyboard I
Clavinet, Grand Piano, Celesta, Arp 2600, Arp String Ensemble, Small Cheap Tambourine
Keyboard II
Clavinet, Grand Piano, Minimoog, Small Cheap Tambourine
Keyboard III
Clavinet, Minimoog, Small Cheap Tambourine
Electric Bass (doubles Vacuum Cleaner)
Drum Set

Percussion I
Bells, Xylophone, Small Triangle, Small Cheap Suspended Splash Cymbal, Small Suspended Cymbal, Medium Chinese Opera Gong, Balinese Gong, Small Piatti, 5 Temple Blocks, 5 Cowbells, Doorbell

Percussion II
Electric Vibraphone, Medium Triangle, 5 Timpani, Tambourine, High Chinese Opera Gong, Balinese Gongs, Medium Opera Gong, Tam-tam, Deep Tam-tam, Castanets

Percussion III
Electric Marimba, Large Triangle, Castanets on Stand, 5 Small Garbage Cans, Thai Gong, Low Thai Gong, Bongos, Rhythm Logs

Percussion IV
Xylophone, Huge Bass Drum, Loose Bass Drum, Snare Drum, 5 Garbage Cans, Piatti, Tam-tam, Cowbell, Triangle, Chimes, 5 Woodblocks, Bongo

Naval Aviation In Art?
note: This is the instrumentation called for in the original score. The instrumentation at the actual concerts was probably different.

2 Flutes
2 Alto Flutes
2 Oboes
1 English Horn
1 E flat Clarinet
8 French Horns
Tuba
Violins I
Violins II
Violas
'Cellos
Contrabasses

See Also

Orchestral Favorites

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