The performances by Boulez' group, Ensemble Intercontemporain, sound as though they were prepared about an hour before they were recorded. They mostly come of sounding sloppy and misguided, but only occassionly get the 'visceral' energy needed from the players to play these pieces. This doesn't suprise me, as I would find it hard to believe that Boulez actually enjoys Zappa's music. The compositions are wonderful--and that is why I can give it 3 stars--but it is time to get the chamber orchestra pieces recorded again! Boulez does NOT do it justice.

While this is not FZ's greatest instrumental album of orchestral or synclavier pieces, it is still a very good sample of some of Zappa's entertaining pieces that proved he could be just as good a composer of serious music as he could with comedy rock.

Tracks 1, 2, 4 are performed by a Frecnh orchestra conducted by Pierre Boulez while tracks 3, 5, 6 and 7 are performed without any human musicians on the "synclavier" machine.

The best piece on the album is track 4 (Dupree's Paradise). This "Dupree's Paradise" is the definitive version, surpassing the 24 minute version found on YCDTOSA vol. 2 and even the faster, big-band version found on "make a jazz noise here."
In other words, a beautiful, moving and relaxing piece.

Track 1 (The Perfect Starnger) makes its premiere here and is very experimental in the Stravinsky/Varese sort of way that Zappa occasionally emulated. Not a bad piece but nothing special either.

"Naval aviation in art?" is also heard here. However, this version is inferior to the original (and shorter) version found on the "orchestral favorites" album.

While "the girl in the magnesium dress" and "love story" are mediocre synclavier pieces, "Outside now again" is perhaps Zappa's most relaxing, yet simultaneously suspenseful, synclavier piece. ***A perfect track to put on "repeat" while reading or doing chores.

"jonestown" is a synclavier piece that would be the perfect composition in a very scary horror movie.

All in all, a great listen.

The CD is a collection of pure classical music for the most part, with a few synthesizer tunes thown in for good measure. The classical stuff is what I would expect classical music to sound like if Zappa wrote it. Then he does his own synth stuff that sounds like Tron runs amok. Somehow, the two different styles blend together well and seem to fit in this presentation. The packaging is very detailed. The liner notes are presented in multiple languages besides English and all musicians are credited. I'm glad I bought it. But then again, I'm a Zappa nut. :)

Okay,

This is a cd of half orchestration from an actual orchestra, and half orchestration from a synclavier... but the highlight for me is an orchestration from a synclavier called Girl in the magnesium dress. quite an accomplishment. I love it. worth the price of admission alone. NO disrespect to Boulez but his renditions of FZ work needs a lot of help.. the work is great, but as another reviewer noted, Boulez didn't do it justice. Boulez might not 'get it'

This album has songs by an orchestra and a few by Zappa on his Synclavier. Great album and well worth the time.