Also sprach Zarathustra
January 24 & 25, 2025
Overview
Decades after his death, Richard Strauss enjoyed a posthumous comeback thanks to his searing and cerebral tone poem Also sprach Zarathustra. The indelible opening trumpet fanfare is instantly recognizable from its use in films like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Barbie. Equally colorful works by Hector Berlioz and Claude Debussy add Gallic flair before the program hurtles to its heart-racing conclusion with John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine.
Program
Hector
Berlioz
Overture to Les francs-juges
Claude
Debussy
Prélude à L’Après-midi d’un faune
Hector
Berlioz
Le roi Lear Overture [First San Francisco Symphony Performances]
Richard
Strauss
Also sprach Zarathustra
John
Adams
Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Sponsors
Mark Elder’s appearance is supported by the Louise M. Davies Guest Conductor Fund.

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