Also sprach Zarathustra (Strauss)

Also sprach Zarathustra is a symphonic poem by Richard Strauss, composed in 1896 and inspired by the book of the same title by Friedrich Nietzsche. It is best known for its use in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film ' (which is postulated to have also been inspired by Nietzsche's book, at least in part). The opening "Dawn" section is used three times, most famously in the opening title sequence.

Use in sports and music performances

Since being popularized by its use in the movie, the "Dawn" section has been used as the entrance music for singer Elvis Presley and professional wrestling star Ric Flair (and other pro wrestlers), and also at many occasions at the University of South Carolina. The use of this piece at South Carolina began in 1983, when the school's late football coach Joe Morrison introduced it as the team's entrance music. This has spread to pre-game introductions for basketball and it is now played for baseball also, and is even used in graduation ceremonies at the university.

Related Topics:
Elvis Presley - Professional wrestling - Ric Flair - University of South Carolina - 1983 - Football - Basketball - Baseball

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During the Boston Red Sox 2005 Opening Day ceremony, members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops played Strauss' Also sprach Zarathustra, while a huge banner proclaiming "World Series 2004 Champions" dropped from the top of the Green Monster and covered nearly all of the 37-foot-high wall.

Related Topics:
Boston Red Sox - Boston Symphony Orchestra - Boston Pops - World Series - Green Monster

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The St. George-Illawarra Dragons, a rugby league team in the Australian National Rugby League, use the piece at home matches when the team enters the field.

Related Topics:
St. George-Illawarra Dragons - Rugby league - Australia - National Rugby League

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In the United Kingdom the musical work is popularly associated with the BBC's coverage of the Apollo Moon landings.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - BBC - Apollo - Moon

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Andy Kaufman also used this work as a device to transform from "Foreign Man" in to Elvis while doing his impersonations.

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