Francesco Zappa is a 1984 album by American musician Frank Zappa. It features synthesized arrangements of chamber music by Italian composer Francesco Zappa, who composed between 1763 and 1788.
Album origins
According to recording engineer Mark Pinske, musician David Ocker introduced Francesco Zappa's music to Frank Zappa because it was popular with some college music students. ==Finding the composer's works==
Finding the composer's works
Frank found an entry for Francesco in the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and then researched his sheet music in the library at UC Berkeley. While Frank and Francesco have similar first names and share the same surname, according to The Real Frank Zappa Book, the two musicians are not related. ==Album content==
Album content
Francesco Zappa was the first full album on which Frank used the Synclavier, but Synclavier pieces appeared on The Perfect Stranger earlier that year, as well as Thing-Fish, also released in 1984 but recorded earlier. ==Track listing==
Personnel
• Performed by The Barking Pumpkin Digital Gratification Consort (Frank Zappa, conductor) • Produced and orchestrated by Frank Zappa • Synclavier document encryption: David Ocker • Engineered by Bob Stone & Mark Pinske • Cover painting by Donald Roller Wilson • Collage by Gabrielle Raumberger • Graphics by New Age Art ==References==