Why this opening is so powerfully iconic

[@VallaMusic]

the most epic opening in all of classical music - I can imagine even Strauss himself must have trembled a bit at the awesomeness of it all when the sound of it first came to him

[@mekkler]

Even more epic than the opening of Beethoven's Fifth? I think I would agree.

[@theronwolf3296]

Also would include in that league Copelands Fanfare for the Common Man, Bach Tocata and Fugue BWV565

[@mekkler]

@@theronwolf3296 Excellent point.

[@bio-garbage]

That feeling when u hear smth u just created... And you know it is The one.

[@carolmorton7213]

I agree, though the opening of Beethoven’s 5th symphony is pretty memorable.

[@skylarlimex]

Also incidentally the world's best morning alarm

[@FilmscoreMetaler]

2nd best next to the THX sound

[@theronwolf3296]

It was meant to depict sunrise. Makes sense.

[@thomasblohm3073]

very true😂! Big like for that idea👍

[@daanscatozza]

nah, "sing to the grave" by chelsea grin is where its at...

[@just-dl]

Love it.

[@0num4]

Without the pedal tone low C, it just wouldn't have the same depth. Truly one of the most elegant, yet simple, compositions ever.

[@purplrshadowyay]

Fr, that bass made me shed tears while underlying the rest of the melody

[@AdamTheClarinettt]

Contra bass/contra-alto clarinet would’ve been perfect for that

[@Marcos-o3d]

Playing this music leaves an impression too. I was principal trumpeter of the Richmmond Symphony Youth Orchestra a very long time ago - and I still remember this performance - but not many others.

[@davidwalter2002]

As a timpanist, I just love the perfect placement of the timpani solo. Filled with import, both musically and dramatically. And I get so tired of just reinforcing the lower brass most arrangements.

[@robertorovida2108]

@@davidwalter2002 As you are a timpanist, I would appreciate if you could answer this question: in the score (here there's a piano transcription) the famous 12-note sequence of C and G for timpani is written as four groups of eighth notes' triplets. Consequently the tonic accent should be played on the first note of each triplet, which is a C, then the second G, then the fourth C, then the fifth G. On the contrary, the recordings and the live concerts that I've listened to in my life give me the impression that the tonic accents are played on each of the six C as if those notes were written in duplets. Can you confirm this impression of mine, or my hearing is bad?

[@davidwalter2002]

@@robertorovida2108 I think part of it is due to our desire to hear the tonic as the stronger, or accented note, even if it's not intentionally stressed by the timpanist. But part of it is also simply not playing the triplets as always being accented on the beat. They can still be played as duplets even though they're written as triplets. The fact that it's two alternating notes reinforces this. Just my interpretation, you understand.

[@ladyofawesome8572]

wait that’s crazy I’m in RSYO right now

[@Marcos-o3d]

@@ladyofawesome8572 That's awesome. Are you looking at colleges?

[@tomasitto299]

Ahh yes, the Earth theme

[@joeywisedrums]

The creation, the awakening, and then the formation of the earth.

[@Nickgam_er]

Earth anthem

[@Man_of_Tears]

Kinda goes well (speed) reading Genesis 1 if you ask me

[@trexx45]

Wrong. Massive Wonka Bar Theme

[@joeywisedrums]

@@Man_of_Tears meh, I prefer the book of creation: book 1, how the universe convinced man it was God, and man took that and created their own God.

[@faithpeach9917]

I got to hear this live a week ago, along with Beethoven's 5th Symphony. I was absolutely blown away by both pieces, but moreso this one. The conductor (the always wonderful Michael Francis) explained the different movements before the piece started, as he usually does with all the pieces they play so the audience can connect to them better. It was the first time I heard this in full, and oh my stars, it changed my life.

[@Elitist20]

0:55 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Presents 1:03 - A Film By Stanley Kubrick 1:14 - 2001: A Space Odyssey

[@kathycuster1714]

Fanfare for the Common Man Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Only the first few bars.

[@pieterdejong4026]

As well as in the beginning of “Magnolia”

[@alessandropizzotti932]

@@kathycuster1714 WHAT? 😂 That's Aaron Copland's piece bearing same title.

[@Cinna_buns8826]

Placed this near my cat and he started levitating

[@DollarStoreShopr]

Felines are funny like that. It opens a portal to the dog planet of which they are strictly forbidden to step paw on.

[@Ms.Bubblegum-zz1dd]

@@DollarStoreShopr forbidden? they're just too disgusted by the planet to even go on if they're life was forfeit

[@joeywisedrums]

Whenever I hear this i say “fuckin Strauss, guy took one of the most simple melodic ideas and trademarked it with awesomeness”

[@jamesfloyd1864]

Why do you have to drop your F-bomb in a class act video??? It shows a lack of class on your part.

Without Nietzsche this idea would not have occurred to him.

[@joeywisedrums]

That’s laughable. The concept wouldn’t have been there, the music likely would’ve.

@@joeywisedrums What do you see when you listen to this music and close your eyes? A couple of monkeys hitting a skull with bones, or a prophet speaking to the sun?

[@10Peter25]

One of the best musical excerpts for testing a new sound system. Deep bass tones, sudden changes in volume, percussive rhythm, rich brass and organ overtones

[@crewelocoman5b161]

A splendidly lucid insight and analysis into one of the most impressive and iconic openings in classical music. The key shifts, the atonal trumpet intervals set against rich diatonic harmonies concluding with a richly orchestrated resolution and why it works so well. Richard Strauss said of himself "I may not be in the ranks of the greatest of composers, but I am the greatest composer amongst the second rank of composers" (paraphrase). That surely is an understatement if there was ever one! Thank you.

[@FredericChopin-if5rn]

One of my favorite openings EVER. True, Raw, Strauss

[@BsktImp]

Everyone goes on about _Sonnenaufgang_ but _Von den Hinterweltlern_ is outstanding for its achingly familiar simplicity.

[@zachbickell]

As great as this opening is, nothing can prepare you for how mind bogglingly incredible the rest of the piece is. It's a masterwork of the highest order, and the movement that immediately follows this opening ("Von den Hinterweltern" or "Of the Backworldsmen") has some of the most earthshatteringly beautiful string writing that i can think of; in fact it would make for an excellent one of these analysis videos

[@haroldsdodge]

Interesting. I've tried the rest of the piece several times and never been able to get into it. And it's not as if I'm the sort of person who only listens to "famous" classical tracks (far from it - I've just spent the evening listening to a Bach cantata). But in this case I've always thought that the general public got it right: it's the opening of this that's the miraculous part. But if there's something I'm missing from the rest of the piece, I'd love to have it brought to my attention.

[@zachbickell]

@ it’s opinion, of course. and this comment reeks with bias, i’ll admit that, but i needed a moment of passionate gushing. for me it’s a lot to do with the novel it was written after (which has the same name). The novel focuses on a character whom i happen to resonate a lot with, both in my perspective of the world and my experience in it (much less literal and extreme, but still very connected). the piece is, to me, what humanity sounds like, and probably directly correlates with my association to the novel. Past that i can’t tell you much about what exactly makes me love it so much but i’m glad i do. It certainly has a lot to do with the masterful orchestration, but i just have a soft spot for strauss harmonies and melodies. I love Das Tanzlied near the end, it’s jumpy and is the perfect depiction of a man dancing himself to insanity Thank you for sharing your perspective as well, and i’m now wishing that my original comment may be worded less strongly dramatic 💀

[@haroldsdodge]

@@zachbickell No apology necessary, on the contrary, I'm glad you worded your original comment as strongly as you did, because it inspired me to enquire further. And your follow-up has persuaded me to give the rest of the piece another go (and the novel as well!). Thanks for the detailed response.

[@pauldoniger1065]

Agreed.

[@JustANamedCat]

1:11 this just sounds so fucking beautiful. It hit a minor iv chord. Damn

[@haroldsdodge]

Yes, that's my favourite part as well. It's actually a minor sixth (built on the fourth degree of the scale, as you correctly say). The minor sixth is a stunning chord, gets me every time, eg in the Eagles song Desperado. The move from IV to iv is also great, very common in Beatles songs for example, but IV to iv6 is my own personal favourite.

[@sarumano884]

But the rest of the piece is boring, dull, tedious, suicidally turgid.

[@haroldsdodge]

@@sarumano884 I thought that too, but a few people on this page have argued otherwise (in some cases quite convincingly). I might give it another chance.

[@sarumano884]

@@haroldsdodge Well, let's put it this way: When ClassicFM plays "Also Spracht Zarathustra", that's the only bit they will ever play.

[@haroldsdodge]

@@sarumano884 Yes but is that criticism or praise?

[@mikekolokowsky]

Always gives me chills.

[@richardstiers9010]

Strauss must be pleased to have written the film score to 2001! 😊

[@trainliker100]

I'm sure many classic composers were delighted to have written the music used in many cartoons. They have used everything from Night on Bald Mountain to Schubert's Eighth symphony. Why? No copyright issues.

[@rickwhite4137]

The very first time I heard this astonishing piece of music, I saw behind my eyes the sun rise up from behind the mountains- And then, I learned that the music is about the sun rise up from behind the mountains... What a masterpiece of music!

Read the book.

[@karlsengupta7185]

I've loved this piece for ages..._2001_ only deepened that, and this analysis expands my appreciation still further. Well done! Keep up the outstanding work.

[@uncertainity188]

Why 2001?

[@karlsengupta7185]

@@uncertainity188 Because the opening of the movie is a beautiful pairing of music and imagery. (The music goes beautifully with the appearance of the Star Child, too...One might almost say that _2001_ is a cinematic interpretation of the music.)

[@uncertainity188]

@karlsengupta7185 Sorry, I had never heard of the movie.

[@karlsengupta7185]

@@uncertainity188 No worries! If you like atmospheric films, give it a try. After five decades, it's still considered a classic of sci-fi.

[@bachtube11]

@@uncertainity188 2001: a Space Odyssey directed by stanley Kubric is one of the best movies of all time. I have seen it in cinema 50 years ago, and I bought it as blu-ray last year from amazon ;-) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey

[@NoahShiley]

I love the low C from the Contrabassoon and the other instruments

[@skylarlimex]

Such a great combined timbre

[@edgarreitz7067]

I heard the piece live few days ago. As impressive as the beginning is the the rest of the piece. Its really radical in so many ways and gets crazier and crazier over its duration.. The ending is simply the best ending of a piece ever.

[@nancybarbaria3511]

I was so enthralled when i went to see 2001 a space odyssey and this music came thundering through the speakers. I've listened to this many many times.

[@hape3862]

I like the lesser-known sunrise in his Alpine Symphony better. But maybe I'm biased because I grew up where he lived and experienced these sunrises (and the mountain hikes he describes in the symphony) many times in my youth.

[@skylarlimex]

I love the alpine! What made me fall in love with strauss

[@martinwest2538]

Definitely an underrated masterwork!

[@jarbasvieira294]

The first time I heard this masterpiece was on July 16 1969, when the Eagle reached the moon’s ground and Armstrong stepped on it. The broadcast played it over and over. I was blown away because of that historic event and the power that piece gave to it.

[@kaypie3112]

I’m pretty sure the Eagle landed on the moon on July 20th, not the 16th.

[@grauwolf1604]

Es ist die beste je geschriebene Eröffnung der Musikgeschichte.

[@kareyreuben3869]

I LOVE stuff like this, like seeing the written music, hearing it, and having someone explain what's going on (helps us artistically-challenged people).

[@UncleKennysPlace]

I bought season tickets to the Cincinnati Symphony just to make sure I heard this piece live, by a competent orchestra. Worth. Every. Penny. Best opening (IMHO) of any piece of music in any genre in the history of the world.

[@thelightmonkey1970]

Goosebumps, every time.

[@Rock-Bottem1982]

It's one of just a few musical phrases that hits your soul. Makes one hold there arms and hands out, to embrace the universe, forever.

[@Ryanissance]

the singular greatest classic intro piece to exist and it's not close. if this is not the greatest, nothing is!

[@SukacitaYeremia]

Unminced. Unedited. Unbridled. Pure Strawesomeness

[@i_n_c_r_y_p_t_o]

Just got the chills!

[@tedf1471]

The tone poem is exquisite, listen to it in a concert hall that has a decent organ, Bristols Beacon organ created a building-shaking rumble that was eye watering!

[@amhunter7556]

Amazing piece of music - it doesn't matter how many times you hear it, it gives the imagination free reign!

[@margarethansen7480]

Powerful, beautiful, well explained❤

[@TrimutiusToo]

Didn't really answer why... But we all still understood why... Because it just is...

[@Turboy65]

Less than two minutes start to finish and it hits you harder than most symphonies in three movements.

[@bunkyman8097]

This piece of music is "Sunrise" from Strauss' tone poem "Also Sprach Zarathustra". In 7th graduate we had an English assignment to read a poem to the class with corresponding suitable music. What an assignment for 7th grade! 2001 A Space Odyssey was big then and I had the movie's soundtrack. This is the music I chose. Here is the poem I read by Oliver Herford: IF this little world to-night Suddenly should fall through space In a hissing, headlong flight, Shrivelling from off its face, As it falls into the sun, In an instant every trace Of the little crawling things- Ants, philosophers, and lice, Cattle, cockroaches, and kings, Beggars, millionaires, and mice, Men and maggots,-all as one As it falls into the sun,- Who can say but at the same Instant from some planet far A child may watch us and exclaim: “See the pretty shooting star!” I practiced and practiced it to get my timing just right. I got an A+ that day. Thank you Mrs. Hodell!

[@skylarlimex]

Thanks for such an excellent share!

[@robertbrynin9919]

Thank you for this.

[@katherinec2759]

I think, although I cannot prove, that the openings of the main themes for both Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager were an homage to this piece. They both have the "fanfare, drums, fanfare, drums, rest of the piece" pattern. (Also, Voyager's main theme is the single best main theme in all of television, and I will die on this hill.)

[@mostafa12890]

That Fm6 is just gorgeous, especially with the first and second violins punctuating that D. I suppose you could call it Dm7(b5) but I‘d be more inclined to just call it Fm6. It‘s a fairly common (but amazing) IV-iv-I progression.

[@skylarlimex]

Yes indeed, I'm more inclined to call it a iv actually while the D is just a passing note

[@sanjai_s]

His alphine symphony is my favourite

[@johnnytheyoungmaestro]

Richard Strauss was a freaking genius! I can agree that this is one of the greatest openings in any musical piece in the world. ❤️

[@kensurratt2729]

Thus Spake Zarathustra Opus 30 played it in High School Orchestra combined with the Concert Band back in 70's. Very powerful.

[@Ellie49]

WOW!

[@brendanlow586]

Check out Carolina Crown’s 2013 rendition, in E-mc^2. It is their opener. They had a 20/20 Brass Score and won DCI World Championships.

[@willdavies687]

There's no 7 in the V chord at the perfect cadence 01:26

[@skylarlimex]

Yes, thanks for pointing that out

[@Djinn510]

Your right the ear pulls for more and Strauss delays this perfectly

[@terryg4415]

Gives me chills!

[@charlesramsay2401]

I was participating in golf tournament in a generation gap among team and opponents. There was a discussion about joice of music. As I was lining my approach shot into the green what's your choice mister Charles. I don't think they were expecting my reply. 2001 a Space Oddessy then I sounded off the with drum role and kept going through my shot. Nice draw nailed the green and team collected birdie.

[@Rabit_Fan]

truly a musical masterpiece

[@Angelocomposer]

1:33 Interstellar vibes

[@SuperLavaCheetah]

Yes.

[@rickwilliams967]

Or...2001 😂😂😂

[@Angelocomposer]

@@rickwilliams967 the whole one for sure we all remember 🦧🦧🦧😂😂😂

[@davesalisbury1820]

I almost understood that. You can take all I know about music, and art for that matter, pour it into a thimble and not moisten the bottom. Yet, I almost understood that. Thank You!

[@sensitiveissues3671]

Truly one of the most iconic intros in all of music history.

[@stevesedio1656]

Beautiful!

[@NanoNymus9733]

Enlightening explanation!

[@mreese8764]

And 00:56 a volcano is starting to erupt, isn't it?!

[@gregp3824]

Goosebumps all over!

[@johnchessant3012]

classic, love it!

[@dosergiobr]

Thanks for sharing

[@sambolino44]

I played this on a Crumar Orchestrator, and then immediately switched to guitar (I was already wearing it) for the opening riff of CC Rider when I played in an Elvis impersonation act in the late 1970s.

[@kegginstructure]

A fitting theme for a movie with some really profound visual effects and overall images. To pair with profound visuals, you need profoundly simple themes.

[@robbit89]

Something this freaking epic needs NO explanation as to why it's epic. It just is.

[@Lukas-ug6jy]

But there IS a reason why it‘s so epic and there is value in figuring it out through analysis. There seems to be a general view many people hold that explaining beauty diminishes it. I couldn‘t disagree more! Just as the universe becomes even more astounding when we wrap our heads around the principles and laws that have made it the way it is as well as its sheer scale, our appreciation of beauty is only enhanced by understanding its inner workings!

[@shishkabob984]

Very nice, thank you

[@TcgamingbrosYT]

I love Also Sprach Zeruthustra!

[@wk3004]

Skylar, not sure if you’ve done it yet, but can you please walk was through the ending of Sibelius’ fifth symphony? Like the last minute and a half or so

[@skylarlimex]

Good idea!

[@bilcal]

Thanks for this video! It's fascinated me since first hearing it while watching 2001 in 1968. Could you do something on the finale of Stavinksy's Firebird as the French horn introduces the finale? That too has been a favorite for decades. Keep up the good work! 👍

[@skylarlimex]

Thanks for watching! And that's a great suggestion that I'll keep in mind

[@Joshid1212]

holy wow, i was scrolling through my recommendations and also sprach zarathustra was playing in my head and i started humming it out loud and i see this pop up and was so surprised it was actaully also sprach zarathstra. i literally havent thought of this song in ages like what

[@saltlemon9191]

the government planting tracking devices in your brain is responsible for this

[@ElectricSoul828]

Classical music is so iconic, people just don't understand how legendary and influential it is to our culture.

[@ronaldfleig4404]

I'm a simple man, but I know what I like... This is EPIC!!!

[@nathancoleman871]

This is why it was the opening piece to the start of Elvis concerts. It was the only fit entrance for a "Prince from another planet" (as the NYT described Elvis).

[@bayreuth79]

Reminds one of the glorious themes from Wagner's 'Siegfried's Funeral March' from Götterdämmerung.

[@Wolf4Babygirl]

0:15 for all the wrestling fans.

[@gabrielgodoi4565]

Woooooooo

[@jacobylott7333]

WOOOOO

[@ricstormwolf]

Woooooooo! 🐴🐴🐴🐴 4 UP

[@mightyfetheredone]

WOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@BASykes1701]

WOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[@SamarSingh-xp9td]

It jumps from the tonic to the dominant to tonic again, playing the triad chord, followed by the minor tonic triad. Horn theme at the beginning

[@mariaegan876]

muy bueno gracias

[@elopez1882]

WOOOOOOO!

[@Stabby_Dave]

I first heard it in the '70s as the tittle music to the Apollo mission TV coverage.

[@memeguy6059]

Loved that you used the recording from lud and “schart’s” musical emporium.

[@jasarinvorawathanabuncha6620]

Could you explain why the last bar (and also first beat of next bar) harmony at 1:16 is not I64?

[@skylarlimex]

Both are possible, I personally choose V64 now as the function is that of the dominant chord. I've got a community post on it if you're interested.

[@SpaghettiToaster]

@@skylarlimex I never quite understood how people who label this chord as V64 would then label an actual V chord in second inversion. I'm curious!

[@KingstonCzajkowski]

@@SpaghettiToaster ii64

[@Kyubiwan]

[I6/4 - vi - V] as a large dominant block

[@skylarlimex]

@@SpaghettiToaster Actually I would label it the same, V64. The thing is 64 refers solely to the relation of intervals from the bass in figured bass tradition. It's only for some reason or another that it has been combined with harmonic functions like V in the UK and US but they're actually separate in most of Europe.

[@IvyANguyen]

Every single time I hear this, I just have to say: 'two thousand and one'! (2001: A Space Odyssey)

[@depressoespresso5904]

this is THE opening its so iconic

[@grande1900]

Also E5 is part of that C4 harmonic series, so juxtaposing it with the flat is even more of a hit.

[@cgardner85]

I can still feel the 2001 vibe from this.

[@rickwilliams967]

I wonder why

[@pangeaproxima3681]

Awesome!!!

[@JohnJones-yh7rv]

i play Bb contrabass clarinet with low C. oh man i wish my band would play this.

[@leviathan4128]

"Wooooooo!!"

[@rabbit-munch-carrots]

Just discovered your channel, this is amazing!

[@skylarlimex]

Thank you!

[@ludwigsamereier8204]

Strauss also wrote the "Alpensymphonie". Did any one listen through all her movements? I tried several times, but it never touched my heart.

[@wwftroy22]

WOOOOOOOO

[@MAGC88]

WOOOOOOOOOO

[@ricstormwolf]

With a tear in my eye! My hand is cramping up 4 UP 🐴🐴🐴🐴 WOOOO!

[@gengiex]

Thx honorable mention 🫡

[@pauls478]

So many will recognise the music but have no idea where it came from...!

[@BửuLongNguyễnTrọng]

Bro that thicc and dramatic bass

[@edopronk1303]

There's some of this in Wall-E. Not just clearly at the end with the captain fighting the AI robot, but also earlier by encountering the Axiom.

[@mikew951-s3s]

Elvis knew what he was doing when he adopted this opening. It couldn't be more perfect.

[@edwaggoner7403]

One needs a very good sound system and crank it up to gather the full effect.

[@cjpreach]

Powerful music, but I fall asleep within the first 10 minutes every time I try to watch this film.

[@purplrshadowyay]

I would like to tell you i'm lying when i say i literally shed tears but i fucking can't

[@ronin667]

Whenever I hear that opening I expect the Blue Danube to follow

[@ryklatortuga4146]

The 90's had the best music

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

Those six opening bars, suggesting the vastness of the universe, get to me! The C, G, upper C and upper E at the start of the melody have relative pitches of 2, 3, 4 and 5. (Not that it's so important...)

[@u1zha]

It's kind of important, important enough that it was already written in the video (the words "based on the harmonic series" mean just that)

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

@@u1zha When a barber shop quartet get in tune, they do relative pitches of 4, 5, 6 and 7!

[@richie_williams]

Who else hears the first four notes of Danny Elfman’s 1989 Batman melody play at the end of this?