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This analytical essay is structured around the orchestral works produced and performed by Frank Zappa throughout his career. The text analyzes the Zappian record production through an in-depth study of the terms, production and realization of both orchestral and electronic compositions, focusing on the conceptual continuity that binds all the artistic work of the late American artist. In the various chapters of the text the musical evolution of the composer is traced, starting from the first youth experiences and continuing through the musical and textual analysis of the records made with the first formation of the Mothers of Invention up to Hot Rats, Burnt Weenie Sandwich, Weasels Ripped My Flesh and 200 Motels. We then move on to the analytical treatment of purely orchestral productions and those made at the Synclavier: from Orchestral Favorites to all the compositions performed by the London Symphony Orchestra up to the collaboration with Pierre Boulez. After the exhaustive treatment of The Yellow Shark work, the final chapters of the essay are reserved for the technical analysis of the most important records from the orchestral and electronic point of view published by the Zappa Family Trust in the last twenty years, to finish with an examination of the concerts, events and the most important projects carried out in Italy in memory of the composer from the end of the nineties to today.

Table of contents:

•   15 Capitolo 1 – L’infanzia,Varèse e le prime esperienze musicali
•   23 Capitolo 2 – The Mothers of Invention. Da FREAK OUT! a UNCLE MEAT
•   53 Capitolo 3 – HOT RATS
•   59 Capitolo 4 – BURNT WEENY SANDWICH e WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH
•   67 Capitolo 5 – 200 MOTELS
•   89 Capitolo 6 – ORCHESTRAL FAVORITES
• 103 Capitolo 7 – Zappa e la London Symphony Orchestra
• 115 Capitolo 8 – La collaborazione con Pierre Boulez. FRANK ZAPPA MEETS THE MOTHERS OF PREVENTION
• 131 Capitolo 9 – THE YELLOW SHARK
• 147 Capitolo 10 – EVERYTHING IS HEALING NICELY
• 153 Capitolo 11 – Lo squalo giallo ha navigato anche in Italia
• 157 Capitolo 12 – Frank Zappa chi?
• 175 Capitolo 13 – Frank Zappa lives on
• 189 Bibliografia
• 191 Ringraziamenti

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