The Yellow Carcharodon

»Review«

The Yellow Carcharodon” — named after “The Yellow Shark,” Frank Zappa’s last album shortly before his death in December 1993 — is a tribute to this extraordinary artist. Zappa was more than just a rock musician with an interest in classical music; in my opinion, he was one of the most important composers of the 20th century. The classical version, recorded together with the Ensemble Modern, proves this best.

The work is simple in its structure – the sea, the yellow shark with Zappa’s likeness on its underside in the centre, and excerpts from the score of the piece “G-Spot Tornado” against a grey sky in the background. “G-Spot Tornado” is typical of Zappa: first released in the 1980s, the provocative title caused controversy and censorship on radio stations. The piece perfectly embodies Zappa’s philosophy: technically brilliant, humorously titled, and at the limits of what can be played.