[audio http://www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/1021580_9yj8d/eodato-AlsoSprachZarathustra.mp3] Also Sprach Zarathustra – Deodato (1972)

Also Sprach Zarathustra, op. 30 is a tone poem by Richard Strauss, composed in 1896 and inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche’s book Also sprach Zarathustra. The composer conducted its first performance in Frankfurt.

The introduction is one of the most recognisable pieces of music ever written, mainly because Stanley Kubrick used it as the key musical motif repeated three times during his 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

A funk arrangement by Eumir Deodato won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1974. It charted in the top ten in both the US and UK, and was also used in the film Being There. (Source)

Now on a more personal note, ASZ (fondly know as the disco version of “The Theme From 2001 A Space Odyssey”) from Deodato’s first lp is what whet my appetite for classical music. Of course I had to play the “Three Bs” in my piano lessons as a youngster, but I only listened to Popular music on my record player. But after hearing Deodato’s jazzy takes on the classics I became interested in both classical music and jazz. After purchasing Deodato 2 (pictured left) I became even more interested in Jazz of all typed and have loved the genre ever since. Thank you for broadening a young girl’s musical horizons Mr. Deodato.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENl4JK6LJ0Y

Before signing off I wanted to share this brief clip of the original version intro to ASZ as written and as found in this YouTube video clip. Enjoy.

Thanks for stopping by.

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1. The Sylvers (1972)
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3. Cast Your Fate To The Wind as Performed by The Vince Guaraldi Trio (1962)