Strauss' most iconic opening

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Richard Strauss's Also sprach Zarathustra opens with the iconic "Dawn" motif, a powerful orchestral passage marked by a dramatic timpani crescendo and triumphant brass fanfare. The shift to a minor triad poses the first question of the tone poem, while the duality between major and minor mirrors the tension between man and nature—a theme that unfolds throughout the piece until its very last bars. Inspired by Nietzsche’s philosophical work, the music embodies the emergence of enlightenment, human ambition, and the eternal pursuit of knowledge. Widely recognized due to its use in 2001: A Space Odyssey, this striking introduction captures both the grandeur and mystery of existence, making it one of the most memorable openings in classical music.

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Richard Strauss (1864–1949)

Performance: Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan

Video made by MomentsMusicaux.