Glories of the West: Richard Strauss - Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFPwm0e_K98[/embed]

Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 – "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" or "Thus Spake Zarathustra" – is a tone poem (also known as a symphonic poem) by Richard Strauss, composed during 1896 and inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical treatise of the same name.

Source: Richard Strauss - Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 | YouTube

The opening to this epic composition is perhaps best known by many as the score to the opening sequence of Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey." In a way, that's kind of a shame, as it is more than worthy of appreciation on its own: indeed, the entire symphonic poem is. But that opening is truly epic!

N.B.: I hasten to add that I am not a Nietzschean (although honesty also compels me to admit that his assertion that "what does not kill us, makes us strong," has helped inspire me to persevere through some very difficult times in life).

However, this is darned fine music.