1896 Richard Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra

Op. 30; Year: 1896; Genre: Romantic Period/classical

1896, which is also today's song pick number, was the year that this very famous piece of music was composed and premiered. While in his time there were works of his that were just as popular, you can't deny that today this is his most famous piece. It, of course, gained most of its popularity from the initial "fanfare" section being used as both the theme song for the Apollo Program and the Stanley Kubrick epic 2001: A Space Odyssey. Ever since then it has been used quite extensively in many other things and has permeated popular culture. For those unaware, the entire piece is a tone poem that was inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's work of the piece's namesake.

Here is a performance of Also Sprach Zarathustra by the l'Orchestra Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, conducted by Antonio Pappano:
Here is part one on YouTube.
Here is part two on YouTube.
Here is part three on YouTube.
Here is part four on YouTube.



My song pick a year ago today: 30 Seconds to Mars - Year Zero

My song pick two years ago today: Don Williams - If Hollywood Don't Need You

My song pick three years ago today: Cream - Strange Brew

My song pick four years ago today: A-ha - The Living Daylights

My song pick five years ago today: Procol Harum - Conquistador