Ritual Dance of the Young Zappa

CAL 110 (sleeve front)

At a young age, Zappa bought a copy of The Rite of Spring and loved every note:

The second 33 1/3-RPM record I bought was by Stravinsky. I found a budget-line recording (on Camden) of The Rite of Spring by something called ‘The World-Wide Symphony Orchestra.’ (Sounds pretty official, eh?) The cover was a green-and-black abstract whatchamacallit, and it had a magenta paper label with black lettering. I loved Stravinsky almost as much as Varèse.[1]

Much of my research relies primary sources. Lyrics, liner notes, bootlegs, interviews, and The Real Frank Zappa Book (FZ’s autobiography) make up the bulk of these sources. Along these lines, Avo Raup’s fantastic website Zappa Books–with its search-able database of interviews and zine articles–and Román García Albertos’ IINK (Information Is Not Knowledge)–a huge, cross-referenced database of lyrics and other album information–have been a tremendously helpful resources. But occasionally, I need to get right to the source. Such was the case with finding Zappa’s copy of Stavinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

In my current chapter (which examines cases of musical borrowings from Stravinsky in Zappa’s music), I make the argument that much of Zappa’s understanding of Stravinsky is influenced by the mythology surrounding the older composer. I wondered if there might be any juicy details on the liner notes that would provide some insight regarding the idiosyncrasies with which Zappa viewed Stravinsky. Armed with Zappa’s description I set out to find a copy of the same record…

As it turns out, Camden was a budget label for RCA Victor records, first introduced in 1955 (right about when Zappa would have been buying the record). Some quick Googling revealed that the Camden catalog did include a recording of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring! (I express surprise here due to prior aggravations brought on by tracing comments from The Real Frank Zappa Book…) CAL 110 features World Wide Symphony Orchestra performing The Rite!

341995093_7aa83c50f9The RCA Building in Camden, NJ
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ebot/
/ CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Further research revealed some interesting facts about the record. The World Wide Symphony Orchestra, it seems, was a pseudonym for the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. This particular record (CAL 110) was actually dubbed from 78 rpm discs of another recording by the SFSO conducted by Pierre Monteux. (Monteux, like the SFSO, isn’t mentioned anywhere on the record. Presumably, the motivation here was to re-release a back catalog of 78 rpm records in a more commercially-viable format using pseudonyms to avoid conflicting with sales of newer recordings of the same artists. It was, as Frank would say, strictly commercial.)

3359562292_d1a7096d70The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerolic/
/ CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Monteux, as any responsible Stravinsky scholar will jump to tell you, premiered The Rite at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris in 1915 1913 (noted, of course, for the riot it incited). Zappa doesn’t seem to have been aware that his record featured such a prestigious conductor.

And–lucky me–a quick WorldCat search found a copy of the record at UC Santa Cruz! (Which means I could request it and get my grubby hands on it right quick.) This turned out to be a little more difficult that expected (frustrations with an inefficient interlibrary loan system), but the record arrived yesterday! Green-and-black abstract whatchamacallit and all!

Unfortunately, being the budget label that it was, Camden seems to have cut costs by not including liner notes. Oh well… The adventure wasn’t a total bust. I got to listen to the record and pretend to be a young Zappa listening to “The Augers” for the first time.

I snuck off to a remote corner of the library and took a few pictures of the record as well. You can see where some helpful librarian has scratched out “World Wide” and entered the correct performer data. (I would have ripped the vinyl to mp3s, but it was “in library use only.”) Here are some scans of the sleeve and label. Enjoy!

CAL 110 (sleeve front)CAL 110 (sleeve back)

CAL 110 (side A)CAL 110 (side B)

The first record Zappa bought, by the way, was The Complete Works of Edgard Varèse, Vol. I (EMS 401). And if Zappa played the Stravinsky as much as he played the Varèse, this disc got a lot of attention. (By one account, Zappa claimed to have listened to The Rite of Spring more than “any man in the world”![2])

References:
[1] Frank Zappa and Peter Occhiogrosso, The Real Frank Zappa Book (New York: Poseidon Press, 1989), 34.
[2] Rip Rense, “A Unique Musical Force or Blasphemous Freak: Which Is Frank Zappa?,” The Valley News (June 27, 1976).
Ritual Dance of the Young Zappa

47,791 thoughts on “Ritual Dance of the Young Zappa

  1. investicrypto

    nike air pegasus 92 verde rojo nike lunarglide 7 university rojo the north face jacket nuptse 2 700 converse in grau nike air max 90 prem tape må¿™nd glowing dark græ°“ hvid ré…¶d tout gris converse chaussures

  2. nike air max 180 schwarz

    herren nike free 5.0 blau gr眉n nike lunar force 1 sky hi black air jordan retro 13 gr氓 sort converse alle wei脽 leder low tops womens nike epic react flyknit green white michael kors crossbody purse

  3. privetaustria

    all black carolina panthers hat nike free 5.0 run 2014 fluorescent vert nike free 5.0 frau rot schwarz women nike zoom winflo 2 purple jade nike free run 2 kvinder bl氓 gr氓 m盲nner nike air zoom structure 18 schwarz orange blau

  4. koreazp

    hombres asics gel kinsei 5 rojo naranja face orange hoodie nike air max lunar 1 gr眉n gelb nike shox turbo 21 himmelbl氓 gul nike flynit air max argent vert chicago blackhawks adidas nhl shortside flex cap

  5. soextfence

    adidas ultra boost uncaged white adidas skate sko gré…¶nn nike air pegasus 83 ré…¶d hvit adidas 15.1 fg gul svart nike cortez mujer azul fluorescent verde adidas samba light blu suede

  6. hitsturbines

    nhl washington capitals jersey nike air force 1 mid champs prada sneaker beige extension mulberry lily mushroom online nike free trainer 3.0 orange birkin 35 hermes

  7. 2018 kobiet topy i bluzki moda jesie艅 szyi szyfonu bluzki slim kobiety szyfonowa bluzka urz膮d pracy

    louis vuitton 茅l茅gance solglas枚gon catawikidesigner reading glasses online uk furniture design for your homef001 26 1 1 2 marshmallow 9 x 9 1 1 2 marshmallow distressed picture frametom ford tf496 mens sunglasses fashion clothing shoes accessories

  8. pubgdust

    nike air max plus white john cena wwe custom trucker cap nike roshe run hombres cuero negro plata rojo nike roshe run green and white adidas climacool ride ii menn svart oransje menn adidas neo svart lå¿™r

  9. xoplanetmedia

    99 jae crowder jersey converse all star parajumpers gobi review nike shox tl3 mens nike black air pegasus 83 trainers mackage kaylina coat

  10. suncreamclub

    air max 1 woman ultra black nike kaishi mens grey philip rivers jersey ebay oakland raiders 15 michael crabtree olive 2017 salute to service limited jersey ralph lauren navy blue handbag air jordan 5 retro exclusive supreme

  11. soaringcow

    new balance 420 black and gray suede air max 2017 silver bullet point black silver womens under armour curry 1 low shoes adidas superstar 2 light blau purple womens nike free v4 ray ban aviator styles

  12. charlesklamut

    reebok gl 6000 white nike zoom lebron soldier 9 price mackage kerry down coat bon march茅 nike kyrie 4 femmes argent limited brandon browner youth jersey new orleans saints 39 home black hermes constance h belt

  13. pandora two tone initial charms

    coach bleecker 11419 2014 15 real madrid 2 varane away pink soccer long sleeve shirt kit nobis anorak jacket red silver mens adidas damian lillard shoes most famous hermes scarf designs childeren hunting cap royal

  14. cnnturkcanli

    nike hypershift femminile basketbtutti scarpe for vendita nike free 5.0 arancia argento nike kobe 10 elite oransje ré…¶d nike air force 1 mid wheat where to acquistare nike femmes air force 1 high 2013 noir rose curry one scarpe for vendita australia

  15. diplomabroad

    nike air max blæ°“ gré…¶nn hombres air max 90 azul blanco oakley mens hijinx iridium polarized sunglasses new era 39thirty schwarz asics onitsuka tiger mexico 66 nero bianca converse chuck taylor alle star high top schwarz

  16. moncler jackets for sale usa basketball

    nike washington redskins 21 sean taylor gold stitched limited rush jersey 2016 minnesota wild stadium series jersey roshe run foot locker aloha print prada womens shoulder bedford usa mulberry handbag used parts nike shox white mens

  17. liftours

    nike zoom pegasus 31 hommes orange womens nike air max 1 white gold detroit tigers 47 mlb harvest clean up cap air jordan retro 3.5 sort græ°“ ralph lauren classic t shirt predator adidas soccer cleats

  18. è´¸culos de sol dior so real gold na internet

    estamos sempre atentos as tend锚ncias das principais grifes贸culos de sol retr么 despontam nas passarelas. gatinho 茅 coringa贸culos de sol ray ban round fleck rb2447 pretoarmani exchange ax 3027 l 贸culos de grau 8078 preto fosco. carregando

  19. theskifanatic

    mujeres nike air max tn todas naranja kvinders nike kobe 9 low gré…¶n sort nike kobe icon blæ°“ hvit nike air max cage gy lt pç…¤rpura mujeres zapato kvinders nike air max 90 appelsin græ°“ femminile nike air huarache nm rosa verde

  20. chiragsblog

    adidas mens crazy light boost 4 basketball shoe jabong the adidas originals tubular old versace belt mackage messenger secret notes nike tiempo legend 6 price in india nike bengals 24 adam jones black team color stitched limited tank top suit jersey

  21. gaeconomics

    mackage vaughn coat air jordan retro 13 grey black new balance 577 mens red black nike dunk sky hi light grey asics gel noosa tri 8 mens blue silver coach green handbag

  22. dieu 鏂颁綔銈枫儷銉愩兗銈搞儱銈ㄣ儶銉?les desseins de dieu official website

    銈︺偍銉囥偅銉炽偘銉夈儸銈?銉戙儖銈ㄧ劇鏂?銉偆銉炽儨銉笺儔銉偣 鎶湶瀹?浜屾浼?銉夈儸銈?/a>妤藉ぉ甯傚牬 銈枫儯銉嶃儷 chanel 璨″竷 闀疯病甯?閫佹枡鐒℃枡 a80140 銈炽兗銉┿儷鏂扮潃 nike 銉娿偆銈?銈广儖銉笺偒銉?27 銉°兂銈?銈偆銈?2.0 833411 010 榛?/a>銉嗐偅銉曘偂銉嬨兗 銉夈儍銉勩儨銉笺儷 銉€銈ゃ儰銉兂銉?銉氥兂銉€銉炽儓 銉嶃儍銈儸銈?18閲?銉椼儵銉併儕 涓彜

  23. getmovedin

    nike mercurial vapor sort chicago blackhawks sweater jersey versace belt price malaysia womens nike kobe 12 orange germany pink ugg boots size 5 adidas tubular x grey white

  24. instabitgram

    mulberry bayswater buckle oak for sale jordan 12 black and white low blue canada goose jacket fendi scarf labels nz prada saffiano leather medium tote bag nike velcro sandals mens

  25. flockandvine

    kd 7 emerald gré…¶nn dark emerald total oransje nike kobe 6 bianca house nike kd 7 tutti viola nike huarache negro sportscene nike kaishi mennns svart diamond nike air max 2017 kpu ii ré…¶d svart

  26. nike air max lunar 90 verde azul

    femmes nike free tr oranger north face gotham jacket sizing air jordan retro 13 gr眉n rot nike kobe 8 rouge gris nike roshe run hyp p煤rpura amarillo air jordan retro 1 s酶lv himmelbl氓

  27. uagogo

    nike air max 90 hyperfuse alle sort nike hyperdunk 2014 low jade bianca nike air flight 89 tutti nero philadelphia eagles brandon graham jersey coach rose gold wallet nike kobe 13 rosso

  28. uchbhekf

    le coq sportif frau nylon wei脽 rosa nike lebron 13 elite rot nike lunar 3 flyknit hvit nike roshe nero and bianca flyknit nike free 5.0 noir bleu nike air force 1 mid grigio bianca

  29. the team in zagreb foreo office photo

    puma ballerin kadè°‹n babet g眉nl眉k ayakkabè°‹ ayakkabè°‹ kadè°‹nlacoste saat kategorisine bir gæžšz atè°‹p istedi臒iniz modeli se莽ebilirsiniz. en iyi hediye se莽eneklerinden biri olan saatleriskechers erkek equalizer persistent do臒a y眉r眉y眉艧眉 erkekgæžšk mavisi erkek sp…

  30. nike air flight 89 lilla gull

    nike air max 1 womens white pink dam盲nner nike zoom pegasus 33 gold blau adidas zx 630 naranja blanco nike air max 95 kvinders gr氓 hvid air jordan retro 6 kvinners r酶d gul womens air jordan retro 8 green black

  31. ptsbarwinslow

    nike air max plus tn ultra black black anthracite dope snapback amazon nike air pegasus 89 team ré…¶d ralph lauren classic bag nike full black air max maschio mizuno wave creation 13 blu cielo blu

  32. lmbaidu

    kobe 11 xi elite low grade parajumpers right hand orange nj plaid scarf like burberry hermes wicker bracelet prada key holder on board christian louboutin sandals flat jack

  33. smartiesland

    nike air huarache light grey mk shoulder handbags nike flynit air max kvinners himmelen blæ°“ oransje nike lebron zoom soldier 8 bianca adidas zx 850 green grey nike kobe icon azul

  34. lvnailbar

    nike blazer mid triple black adidas superstar weave dark azul nike 2018 total sort nike free run 5.0 nero and bianca gituttio nike hyperdunk andrew wiggins throwback jersey

  35. air jordan jumpman h marron or

    v neck polo t shirts for hombres preston smith washington redskins youth limited nike jersey white cheap nike free 4.0 womens silver kd 7 lebron 12 cp3 nike air huarache hommes rouge queen ray ban rb3025 aviator sunglasses gold brown polarized

  36. lakehyundai

    hermes skinny belt nike blazer mid skate hermes kelly replica air jordan 14 size 8 manolo blahnik purple pumps adidas originals tubular runner core black

  37. nike kd 8 blanco

    fox racing graupel snapback cap nike sb dunk low pro nero and bianca nike hypervenom phinish lila nike hyperdunk 2015 dark blæ°“ womens dallas cowboys dak prescott pro line navy player jersey adidas uncaged ultra boost triple svart

  38. meranotherme

    nike air force 1 naranja blanco nike lebron 15 purple germany nike air max 2017 blanc vert oakley radarlock pitch sunglasses usa usc trojans hat kd trey 5 black and white guy

  39. dfweliquid

    adidas shoes porsche design 2015 louboutin flat sneakers adidas originals gazelle navy white sneakers mlb jerseys milwaukee brewers 23 rickie weeks yellow jerseys elite mike wagner youth jersey pittsburgh steelers 23 home black limited terrance knighto…

Comments are closed.