Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Danny (class of 2028) and features the soundtrack album for the classic film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Thanks, Danny!
2001: A Space Odyssey soundtrack
I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey for the first time at a midnight showing, which, like most surreal, feverish movies, is a pretty good time to watch it. 2001 is best known for its striking imagery, but just as important to the viewing experience is its memorable soundtrack. Filled with classical and orchestral pieces, the film helped revolutionize the way science fiction cinema approached music. Director Stanley Kubrick initially hired composer Alex North to write an original score for the film, but later scrapped it entirely in favor of existing classical music he had been using as temporary tracks during the editing process.
Who would’ve thought to bring classical music into a space opera? But it worked. The film helped popularize pieces such as Richard Strauss’ 1896 symphonic poem Also sprach Zarathustra and Johann Strauss II’s 1866 Blue Danube Waltz, and generations of film and television have drawn on the association between these pieces and space travel ever since.
If you’re looking for some beautiful classical music to relax to, or just something that makes you go, “Wait, I’ve heard this somewhere before,” I’d encourage you to check out the 2001: A Space Odyssey soundtrack here at the Parsons Music Library!