Yet a further outfit intent on ringing the changes, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra juxtaposes works by figures who are not so much on the periphery as who have created their own takes on the mainstream. Heiner Goebbels is second to none in his mixed-media conceptions, with Surrogate Cities among the most ambitious as an inclusive entity (and as recorded by ECM, 6/00). As one of its components, Suite for Sampler and Orchestra gives a fair indication of its basis in the rise of the urban metropolis with all the potential for human alienation which ensues. An alienation here objectified, moreover, by relating each of its 10 movements to a Baroque form such that the interplay between sampled and orchestral material feels the more ominous for its overall restraint – the ‘cities’ of the title evoked without being made explicit.

Whereas Goebbels provokes, Frank Zappa overwhelms in his desire to confront the listener with his pungent and (almost) invariably ironic worldview. This selection of five orchestral pieces, taken from across his multifarious output, underlines why this most assaultive of rock musicians has posthumously become a composer with whom to reckon – ranging as it does from the sardonic schmaltz of Dog Breath Variations, via the Boulezian textural intricacy of The Perfect Stranger, to the big band anarchy of Revised Music for Low Budget Orchestra. Famously intolerant of ‘dumbing down’ on whatever level, Zappa demands a commitment from his players such as the Norwegian forces meet admirably. The sound is commendably detailed and upfront, though it is a pity that the stylishness of LAWO’s presentation is rather compromised by the booklet-notes – superficial for Goebbels, wholly inadequate for Zappa.