Zarathoustra (opens in new tab)

I’m not the biggest fan of Richard Strauss, whose later years were murky to say the least, but i have to admit that Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks and Also sprach Zarathustra are two of the most awe-inspiring pieces of music ever committed to staff paper. The former reminded me why i don’t listen to that much orchestral music at home — it can’t be properly reproduced without missing the quietest phrases… or blowing up your speakers. The latter is more than the cliché it’s become since Kubri...