The Year's The Thing: 2001

In 1973, Eumir Deodato’s recording of the song made famous as the theme from “2001: A Space Odyssey” was a colossal success. Not only did “Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)” make it the number #2 slot on Billboard’s Hot 100, this hit was the Grammy winner for Best Pop Instrumental in 1974.

German Richard Strauss composed the tone poem “Also Sprach Zarathustra” or “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” in 1896. Zarathustra is an alternate name for Zoroaster, the prophet who founded the Old Persian religion Zoroastrianism.

On Deodato’s jazz arrangement, he plays electric piano. Bassist Stanley Clarke and guitarist John Tropea are two of the many talented musicians assembled by producer Creed Taylor to perform on the LP “Prelude.” In addition, “Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)” was the only hit single for Taylor’s CTI Records label.