Orchestral Favorites [40th Anniversary Edition]

Personnel includes: Frank Zappa (guitar); Michael Zearott (conductor); Dave Parlato (bass); Terry Bozzio (drums); Emil Richards (percussion).
Recorded at Royce Hall, Los Angeles, California in September 1975.
ORCHESTRAL FAVORITES contains five symphonic works written by Frank Zappa, performed by Zappa himself and his mid-'70s rhythm section with a full orchestra. Recorded at the Royce Hall in Los Angeles in 1975, ORCHESTRAL FAVORITES is similar to Zappa's other symphonic works (parts of BURNT WEENY SANDWICH, 200 MOTELS, etc.). The album was not released until four years later however, due to a skirmish with Warner Bros. Zappa wanted to release a three-record set entitled LATHER, which was to include material from ORCHESTRAL FAVORITES plus the other late-'70s releases SLEEP DIRT and STUDIO TAN. But Warner Bros. forced him to release the complete work as separate albums (LATHER did finally appear as a three- disc set in 1996).
New versions of "Duke of Prunes" (originally on 1967's ABSOLUTELY FREE) and "Strictly Genteel" (from 1971's 200 MOTELS) can be found here, as well as the lengthy album closer "Bogus Pomp," which also contains material previously found on 200 MOTELS. Also included is the brief composition "Naval Aviation In Art?" and the abstract "Pedro's Dowry." For those interested in discovering Zappa as symphonic composer and arranger, ORCHESTRAL FAVORITES is highly recommended.