Musics by Frank Zappa: Orchestra En Regalia
Whenever I walked anywhere near the Gallery studio in Prague’s Hostivař district during the two days leading up to this concert, I was taken aback by the cacophony of strange notes emerging from the rehearsal space.
And in all honesty I struggled to piece those notes together. Inside, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra was practicing for the concert selected to kick off the Prague Proms season – Musics by Frank Zappa.
The idea behind this world premiere was to introduce visitors to Prague to the orchestral compositions of this provocative leader and rock experimenter for whom nothing was off limits. Prior to the concert, I confided in friends in the industry that I wasn’t actually sure what I had invited them to and how it would pan out. And it was a concern shared by many colleagues with the exception of the performers themselves.
But then all of a sudden Zappa’s experiments gradually started to take shape, merging into a sound which floats on the boundaries between rock and classical music. My slight uncertainty during the premiere lasted a mere 30 seconds at the start, however by the second piece, it was clear to me that we were all experiencing something truly exceptional. And I now understand the enthusiasm that so many collaborating conductors, artists and ensembles share for Frank Zappa who rightly consider him of genius calibre.
I’m also delighted to say I have yet to come across someone who didn’t share my appreciation for being given this opportunity in Prague. It seems only a matter of time before these compositions by Zappa will gain in popularity and be picked up on the radars of large production companies around the world. Delivering an exceptional performance under the baton of Sarah Hicks, I would like to congratulate the entire orchestra – especially those who displayed their musicianship alongside veterans of the En Regalia orchestra. And special praise to Oleg Sokolov on percussion who completely blew me away.
Text: Jan Hodoušek
