Beautiful. Perfect example of why Zappa is lifted up as a "genius" and not just an opinionated hippie guitar guy who wrote 200 songs with wacky/ perverted lyrics.
I heard The Black Page for the first time more than forty years ago. Today, I heard it again for the first time. This is an exquisite interpretation, and it moved me.
The original was played in very strict tempo, as it was composed for Terry Bozzio, a drummer. Now by varying the tempo and adding phrasing, you add a whole new emotional component that makes it quite beautiful. Thank you for sharing this and enhancing our lives.
I always loved this complex piece in large part because it is a complex piece. just learned from you that The Black Page can be seen in a different way. Yes the original is the Genius that's FZ. You gave it an emotional flavor from your heart. Your slightly altered feel at certain spots made it very personal and beautiful. You are a wonderful musician. Thank you for this.
Totally agree. Beautiful interpretation. It never occured to me that it could be played as a solo piano piece but now that I hear it...wow! Thank you so much.
Fascinating interpretation, and far beyond FZ's wheelhouse. Frank didn't do rubato much - he greatly preferred solid time, even if phrased with some very difficult tuplets. And he couldn't play the piano, or at least not very well.
I love the depth of real music theory knowledge I've found in conversations with Frank Zappa fans. I grew up studying classical piano, listening to classic prog & hard rock then got a Bachelor's in Music Theory & History. Large parts of my post-college work life have been spent in rock music production and I don't get to geek out on music with others very often. I have friends in the jazz & orchestral worlds, but they're usually different than rock fans. You all are the best. 👍
The Black Page #1 is both a technical exercise and a wondrous thing of beauty, like much of Zappa's work. The combination of the two is one of the defining elements of Frank, in music and in life. Technically speaking, only the rhythm was written for Bozzio, and then Frank figured "maybe it would be good for other instruments, so I wrote a melody." He described the composition as having "statistical density," and if any of you have not seen the sheet music, that in itself is a wondrous thing of beauty. And yes, Helen absolutely killed it. Bravo...this is very difficult stuff. She really did hit every single note, and that would be very important to Frank.
... bravissima, complimenti... con la tua abilità e sensibilità, hai donato a questo brano incredibile, la sua vera magia luminosa... sono sicuro che Zappa apprezzerebbe...hehehee. Grazie del tuo lavoro cosciente. Salute sempre.
Helen, that was a very soulful interpretation of one of my very favorite Zappa compositions. I would love to hear you play it on a 9' concert grand that has been meticulously tuned and mic'd. I think Frank would approve.
I’ve seen many many versions of the Black Page performed and this is the best melodic version, often it’s a piece that is difficult to fathom. But you brought out the beauty of the melody. Well done Helen.
Well done. I had the same idea years ago, adopt it for solo piano...very difficult technically, especially those lines at the end Always remember Frank will likely use "2 sus" chords on the left hand accompaniment. (That's his "sound" according to Ruth Underwood)
Never mind the melodic metric modulations, The Black Page is the best use of the Lydian mode I’ve ever heard. This was a beautiful rendition, thank you for sharing it.
This is the most beautiful cover of this piece I've ever heard. God bless you for keeping Frank's music alive.
I’m late to the show here but you did a great rendition of the black page. I enjoyed it a lot. Thank you for posting.
Excellent! I was in Frank's band for every tour from 1981 on. You played this beautifully!
Love you Bobby! sending good health from Cincinnati
Woah! Can't wait to see you in VT in just a few weeks!
Never gets old❤
one of the best piano interpretations I have ever heard... really really good. Frank Zappa would give you an A+.
Thank you so much!
I don’t think I’ve heard a cover of this anywhere; BRAVO
@@jazzpianoman01
Ruth Underwood played it on piano. It's on the Zappa In New York 40th Anniversary set.
@@Royale_with_Cheeze i wore out that album ha
Beautiful. Perfect example of why Zappa is lifted up as a "genius" and not just an opinionated hippie guitar guy who wrote 200 songs with wacky/ perverted lyrics.
This is beautiful. Full stop!
I heard The Black Page for the first time more than forty years ago. Today, I heard it again for the first time. This is an exquisite interpretation, and it moved me.
True, everyone plays zappa songs different
Bravo!
Very nice cover, one of the most emotional, sounds like Erik Satie
Superb!
Wow! Really nice.
That was beautiful
One of the best composers of our time ! Zappa!!!!!
thats a very romantic interpretation with a touch of eric satie. nice.
Indeed
Beautiful ❤️
Awesome!!!!
If I had not seen that I would have said that it was not possible. Bravo!!
Amazing!
Beautiful
Really brilliant, excellent job
♥️✨Uncle Frank Genius Lives!
Sehr gut, die Frau!!!!!
So Good
This was a beautiful interpretation. Thank you
Lovely
badass arrangement
I've never heard this piece played so...lyrically before. Very fresh take you're bringing, and so beautifully played-thank you for sharing!!
Amazing cover of this majestic song
So good!
magnificent
Sublime! Thank you!
Super composition & performance♥️
Utterly beautiful!
just a beautiful cover!
very nice
So rhythmically complex, but yet the melody is still so beautiful and interesting. Thank you for playing it on just one instrument. Well done.
Flawless! Love it!!
Gorgeous interpretation!
The original was played in very strict tempo, as it was composed for Terry Bozzio, a drummer. Now by varying the tempo and adding phrasing, you add a whole new emotional component that makes it quite beautiful. Thank you for sharing this and enhancing our lives.
absoluement merveilleux !!!!!!!
So good.
Lovely!
Wonderful interpretation, and beautifully played. Brava!
This is absolutely beatuiful. It sounds sad, like a child playing in a post-apocalyptic world. Thank you for this.
I always loved this complex piece in large part because it is a complex piece. just learned from you that The Black Page can be seen in a different way.
Yes the original is the Genius that's FZ. You gave it an emotional flavor from your heart. Your slightly altered feel at certain spots made it very personal and beautiful. You are a wonderful musician. Thank you for this.
Thank you so much!!
My thoughts exactly. Gorgeous and passionate.
Totally agree. Beautiful interpretation. It never occured to me that it could be played as a solo piano piece but now that I hear it...wow! Thank you so much.
Fascinating interpretation, and far beyond FZ's wheelhouse. Frank didn't do rubato much - he greatly preferred solid time, even if phrased with some very difficult tuplets. And he couldn't play the piano, or at least not very well.
I love the depth of real music theory knowledge I've found in conversations with Frank Zappa fans. I grew up studying classical piano, listening to classic prog & hard rock then got a Bachelor's in Music Theory & History. Large parts of my post-college work life have been spent in rock music production and I don't get to geek out on music with others very often. I have friends in the jazz & orchestral worlds, but they're usually different than rock fans. You all are the best. 👍
Love
awesome 👏
Wow! The dizzying complexity of Zappa combined with the delightful whimsy of Studio Ghibli. Beautiful.
Fabulous. Brings the piece to life.
Great, a Zappa pièce ...with a Satie feeling, and a Chick Corea touch.
Bravo, Very interesting to hear a good piano version of that pièce.
awesome
Thanks for learning this piece of music and sharing it with us. Beautifully performed!
WOW !!!
Thank you very much.
just impressive and excellent, thank you!
Frank would be impressed
❤❤❤❤
Hearing it just on piano really brings out the spooky of this song. Frank was other worldly.
Ruth would be proud
Brava. An exquisite rendering of this gem. It should be standard rep for today's pianists.
Hello Anne, how are you doing today.
Such a beautiful composition by Frank and you play with such a great feeling and touch.❤
I've heard many versions of this complex tune but none more beautiful than this. Thank you.
Wonderful playing. Thanks.. I found this searching for "It Must Be A Camel". Funny how you tube works. This is so beautiful. Thanks again.
Refreshingly different. Bravo!
VERY GOOD JOB!!...A++++!!
Amazing. There's something really Debussy-esque about this rendition. Bravo :)
... brava
Wow...! la meilleur interprétation que j' ai entendu, et j' en ai entendu beaucoup. Bravo ! Une incarnation parfaite.
the best song in human history ad the best emotional interpetation, great
Beautiful. You put real feeling into a piece that many just see as a technical exercise. Loved it
Thank you!
An etude written originally for his young talented drummer Terry Bozzio. I agree, the emotion she put into it was beautiful.
Who could see the BP as a technical piece. It’s gorgeous.
The Black Page #1 is both a technical exercise and a wondrous thing of beauty, like much of Zappa's work. The combination of the two is one of the defining elements of Frank, in music and in life. Technically speaking, only the rhythm was written for Bozzio, and then Frank figured "maybe it would be good for other instruments, so I wrote a melody." He described the composition as having "statistical density," and if any of you have not seen the sheet music, that in itself is a wondrous thing of beauty. And yes, Helen absolutely killed it. Bravo...this is very difficult stuff. She really did hit every single note, and that would be very important to Frank.
Mesmerizing. Look at those hands!
Honestly, thank you so very much. This is perfect.
Cant get enough of this.. on my 5th listen
What a brilliant interpretation - it is a testament to your musicianship that you have uncovered yet another layer of Zappa’s genius.
Amazing! Love this piece and this is an absolutely beautiful interpretation!
extremely beautiful interpretation
Frank would have loved this! Lovely! You must do #2 as well! And Black Napkins!
Genious, beautiful. I love it.
Brilliant take.
Amazing 🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹💙💙💙💙💙🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
I've watched this many times, never gets old.
Thank you so much!
incredible!! thank you for giving us this
... bravissima, complimenti... con la tua abilità e sensibilità, hai donato a questo brano incredibile, la sua vera magia luminosa... sono sicuro che Zappa apprezzerebbe...hehehee.
Grazie del tuo lavoro cosciente.
Salute sempre.
What a transcendent interpretation and performance.
Zappa was a genius. Full stop.
Very good job, btw.
Never gets old.
Helen, that was a very soulful interpretation of one of my very favorite Zappa compositions. I would love to hear you play it on a 9' concert grand that has been meticulously tuned and mic'd. I think Frank would approve.
Thank you! Would definitely love to do a recording like that!
Great feeling and with all of the 'statistical density' Brava!
Frank Is Smiling Down On You... Well Done Helen!!!
Wonderful. You need to send this to Ruth Underwood. She was the vibraphone player for Zappa for the studio and live performance. She'd love it.
Agree this is an incredible version. The pianists expressive rendition reveals the underlying emotion of Zappa's melody.
Genuinely one of the prettiest piano pieces of this complexity. Chilling performance.
Stunning
I’ve seen many many versions of the Black Page performed and this is the best melodic version, often it’s a piece that is difficult to fathom. But you brought out the beauty of the melody. Well done Helen.
Thank you for giving us this gift.
frank must feel totally at peace to hear you play so beautifully
THAT,was fabulous.All those old guys with wigs are rolling over in their graves, they've never heard such brilliance.
Well done. I had the same idea years ago, adopt it for solo piano...very difficult technically, especially those lines at the end Always remember Frank will likely use "2 sus" chords on the left hand accompaniment. (That's his "sound" according to Ruth Underwood)
Simply amazing!
Never mind the melodic metric modulations, The Black Page is the best use of the Lydian mode I’ve ever heard. This was a beautiful rendition, thank you for sharing it.
That is beautiful. Somewhere out there in the Great Beyond, Frank is smiling.