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Also Sprach Zarathustra
Fans of Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 film 2001: A Space Odyssey will instantly recognize the monumental opening fanfare of Richard Strauss’ "Also sprach Zarathustra." Violinist Leila Josefowicz returns to perform John Adams’ "Scheherazade.2," a dramatic “violin symphony” written especially for her. Presented by Oregon Symphony.
"Popular American composer John Adams describes his “Scheherazade.2” for solo violin and orchestra as a “dramatic symphony.” The concerto/symphony/tone poem for violin and orchestra was composed for soloist (and Adams enthusiast) Leila Josefowicz, who performs with the Oregon Symphony Jan. 11–13. Adams describes the music’s inspiration as a fresh twist on the titular “1,001 Nights” narrator: “The casual brutality toward women that lies at the base of many of these tales prodded me to think about the many images of women oppressed or abused or violated that we see today in the news on a daily basis.” Also on the program: Charles Ives’ spooky, sonically layered “The Unanswered Question” and Richard Strauss’ Nietzsche ode “Also sprach Zarathustra” — performed here in its entirety (not just the familiar overture used in 2001)." – Oregon Arts Watch