The NPG Orchestra

The NPG Orchestra was an instrumental ensemble established by Prince (active as an unpronounceable "Symbol") in collaboration with composer and band leader Clare Fischer. The orchestra was responsible for Prince's sole foray into classical music, Kamasutra ballet, released in limited circulation in 1997 by NPG Records. The artist began working on Kamasutra in March 1994 at Paisley Park Studios, writing eleven instrumental tracks, without vocals or voice samples, and recording most non-orchestral instruments; additional parts by Eric Leeds and The NPG Hornz were added in late July. Fischer's orchestra tracked their parts remotely at Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, California. Prince had been frequently collaborating with Clare Fischer since the mid-1980s, starting on Parade, and later hired to work on orchestral and string arrangements for several studio albums, from Sign "O" The Times to Love Symbol and Graffiti Bridge soundtrack, as well as solo projects by various Prince's protegés on Paisley Park and NPG Records, including Jill Jones, Eric Leeds, and The Family band. The first mention of "The NPG Orchestra" was on a Sampler Experience tape released by NPG Records in January 1995 and featuring an excerpt from Kamasutra alongside selected tracks from The New Power Generation's Exodus and the unreleased Madhouse album. The cassette's inlay advertised a toll-free "1-800-NEW-FUNK" phoneline, promising all three albums will be soon available. In early July, Prince's music played during Versace's haute couture show in Paris with an exclusive "mixtape," The Versace Experience - Prelude 2 Gold, handed out to selected participants. The cassette primarily featured samples from The Gold Experience and another Kamasutra segue (subsequently becoming one of the most expensive and sought-after Prince rarities, only topped by The Black Album.) On 14 February 1996, Prince and Mayte García got married at Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, with Kamasutra playing at the private ceremony. In November of the same year, one of the tracks, "The Plan," appeared in a slightly edited form on the Emancipation album, with another mention of the upcoming "Kamasutra" in the liner notes. On 14 February 1997, commemorating Prince's wedding anniversary, the Kamasutra cassette was released on NPG Records, available exclusively via 1-800-NEWFUNK direct phone orders. The album was presented as an "orchestral ballet interpretation of Prince and Mayte's love story." In January 1998, the CD version of "Kamasutra" was included with the initial direct orders of the Crystal Ball 5xCD package. (It wasn't available separately or with retail 4xCD editions.) The NPG Orchestra was also credited with two tracks on The New Power Generation's third album, Newpower Soul, in June 1998, and recorded strings for Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic in November 1999 (and the "twin" Rave In2… album in April 2001). In October 1997, a newly-established NPG Dance Company directed by Mayte debuted their Around The World In A Day show in Detroit, Michigan; the second act was performed to the Kamasutra ballet (it's unclear whether the live orchestra played, or if the troupe danced to a pre-recorded score). They had a few more performances, with favorable reviews but relatively poor ticket sales. Despite the initial plans to continue touring in February 1998, the project was abandoned. The NPG Orchestra members O(+> — misc instruments, direction Eric Leeds — tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute NPG Hornz: Michael Nelson — trombone Kathy J. — baritone saxophone Brian Gallagher — tenor saxophone Dave Jensen — trumpet Steve Strand — trumpet Clare Fischer Orchestra/Big Band: Clare Fischer — arranger, conductor Brent Fischer — bass, percussion (?) Larry Bunker — drums, percussion Tom Ranier — piano Dennis Budimir — guitar Gayle Levant — harp [u]1st Strings Section[/u] Assa Drori, Isabelle Daskoff, Edward P. Greene, Harry Scorzo, Francine Walsh, Robert S. Lezin, Norma Leonard, Anita A. Thompson (?), Pam Gates, Russ Cantor, Bette Byers, Robert Sushel, Donald Palmer, Ross Shub, Pam Tompkins, Yvette Devereaux, Calabria McChesney, Marshall Daniel Thomason (?), Gladys Secunda — violin Marilyn Baker, Harry Shirinian, Herschel Wise, Peter Hatch, Suzanna Giordano, Benjamin Simon, Jimbo Ross — viola Frederick Seykora, Ray Kelley, Marie Fera, Douglas Davis, Judith Johnson, Cecilia Tsan — cello Morton Klanfer, Jim Hughart — double bass [u]2nd Strings Section[/u] Gerald Vinci, Mari Tsumura, Israel Baker, Yoko Matsuda, Murray Adler — violin Jorge Moraga, Carole Mukogawa, Nancy Roth (?), Margot MacLaine — viola Arni Egilsson — double bass Anne Karam — cello [u]Brass[/u] Morris Repass, Les Benedict (?), Alex Iles, Andy Martin — trombone David Duke, Joe Meyer, Marni Johnson, Yvonne S. Moriarty — French horn Richard "Blue" Mitchell — trumpet [u]Woodwinds[/u] David Randall Stone, Lisa Edelstein, James R. Walker — flute Jenice Rosen, Jon Clarke, John Mitchell (4), Bob Tricarico — woodwinds Dan Higgins, Terry Harrington, Jack Nimitz (?), Bob Carr — saxophone Don Shelton (2) — clarinet, flute Charles Boito — clarinet Charles Coker — bassoon John F. Reilly — oboe