Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Richard Strauss’ iconic opening to his tone poem Also sprach Zarathustra has been immortalized in many pop-culture contexts — including the epic first scene of Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi classic, 2001: A Space Odyssey. From the assertive timpani solos to the vibrant brass fanfare, enjoy a performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor Jakub Hrůša, recorded live in Orchestra Hall in March 2024.


Don’t miss A Live Presentation of 2001: A Space Odyssey with the CSO on January 9-10. Get tickets at cso.org/ps/25250

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