Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss

Album: Also Sprach Zarathustra (1896)

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Songfacts®:

Strauss was a German composer who wrote what he called "Tone Poems," which were classical pieces in one movement inspired by some kind of literary or visual art. This was inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's book of the same name, which translates to English as "Thus Spoke Zarathustra." Zarathustra is a prophet associated with the Zoroastrianism religion.
This is famous for its use in the 1968 movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. It was used three times in the movie, including the opening sequence, which is considered one of the most famous pieces of film history. Strauss' movement is about 40 minutes long; the portion used in the movie was the beginning of the piece, which is known as "Sunrise" or "Dawn."
After this was used in the movie, it became popular as entrance music for sporting events and other dramatic events. The BBC used it in their coverage of the Apollo Moon landings.
Eumir Deodato recorded A modern, jazzy rendition which won him a Grammy in 1973. Deodato, from Brazil, has worked on over 450 albums during his career as producer, arranger and keyboardist. Among the stable of artists he has worked with are Earth Wind & Fire, Roberta Flack, Kool & the Gang and Chuck Mangione. >>
Suggestion credit:
Charles - Charlotte, NC
Elvis Presley used this as the introduction music at his concerts in the '70s before he would take the stage. By the time he appeared, the crowd would be in a frenzy.

Comments: 7

Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 2nd 1968, the Stanley Kubrick science-fiction movie '2001: A Space Odyssey' had its world premiere at the Uptown Theater in Washington, DC...
The film received four Academy Awards nomination, winning one for 'Best Effects, Special Visual Effects'...
Just under five years later on January 28th, 1973 "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)" by Deodato entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #74; nine weeks later on March 25th, 1973 it would peak at #2...
{See next post below}.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 28th, 1970, the theme for the film "2001 - A Space Odyssey (From also Sprach Zarathustra)" by the Berlin Philharmonic entered the Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart for a four week stay, peaking at #90...
Three years later on February 28th, 1973 Deodato's covered version entered the Top 100; and on March 25th, 1973 it peaked at #2 (for 1 week) and spent 12 weeks on the Top 100...
The week it was at #2, "Killing Me Softly with His Song" by Roberta Flack was in its 5th and last week at #1.
Jim from West Palm Beach, FlPlayed in the mighty key of C major.
Joe from Saint Louis, MoPro wrestler Ric Flair used this as his entrance theme.
Musicmama from New York, NyOne of the greatest pieces of music ever composed.
Joel from Montreal, CanadaPhish played this live at many of their shows from 1985 - 2004.
Dave from Oak Park, MiLet's not forget how ELVIS used the original Strauss version of 2001: Also Sprach Zarathustra, every time he took the stage at his concerts!!

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