ZAPPA THE COMPOSER: The Ensemble Modern, and coming full circle

Many believe that Frank Zappa's work was truly complete when he worked with the German orchestra Ensemble Modern, for the Frankfurt Music Festival, in 1991.

Getting to work with a group like Ensemble Modern gave Frank the musical freedom he had been trying rather unsuccessfully to get for decades (the Royal Philharmonic's disgust with Zappa and his "unusual" musical vision had led to a sabotage of his work many times, including his show at Albert Hall in anticipation of the release of 200 Motels).  It was just the group of musicians he had been looking for.

Together, Zappa and The Ensemble Modern produced Zappa's best serious work: The Yellow Shark.  It was released in 1993.  Zappa died soon after its release.