Underman's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY - 30 YEARS ON
THE MUSIC

2001: A Space Odyssey - 30 Years On

Mr Kubrick's masterpiece, in retrospect
The Music

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This page is the only source anywhere that I am aware of covering all the soundtracks (first part of the page) and composers (second part) related to 2001, including the unused score and 2010. The only reason it does not cover Edouard Artemyev's music for Solaris is that, although I have been searching for the only issue I know of - a Japanese- only release CD - I have yet to locate a copy.

In this page, you will find:

*The 2001 soundtracks *Alex North's 2001 *The 2010 soundtrack *Soundtrack composers

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The 2001 soundtracks

Stanley Kubrick redefined motion picture soundtracks at the cost of at least one respected man's better feelings. Alex North was an experienced and successful soundtrack composer, responsible for epics like Cleopatra and Kubrick's own Spartacus. Having been commissioned to write the score for 2001, he reputedly felt badly let down when Kubrick finally rejected it in favour of his own selections. The North score languished for over twenty years before being recreated.

We are in the unique position now of having the film with Kubrick's revolutionary musical concepts intact, and the quite recent recording of North's work for comparison. There is, in the end, only one true 2001 soundtrack, but even that has been altered for various reasons in the audio releases.

What may be termed the "definitive" version of the 2001 soundtrack, described below as "CD Soundtrack #5", was released in late October 1996.

Equally revolutionary, in an entirely different way, was the electronic score for 2010, also included below. The origins of this kind of soundtrack work go way back to the groundbreaking electronic score for "Forbidden Planet", and even earlier to experimental work undertaken in the 1920s and 1930s, though I have a feeling it would not have impressed either Stanley Kubrick or Alex North as a score for 2001!

The next section of this page looks at variations on some of the soundtrack releases, while the composers are featured in the last section.

I would always be interested to hear of other variations not included here. A reader in England (hi again, Martin!) reminded me of the existence of a "Volume 2" album for 2001 - music inspired by the soundtrack - and I am trying to find out more about this rare item.

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CD Soundtrack #1

The original soundtrack cover made use of one of Robert McCall's justly- celebrated original paintings. There were no CDs in 1968, of course, but the original score was later released by Polydor on CD ref 831068-2, the version shown here. A note on the CD cover indicates that the CD version of Ligeti's "Lux Aeterna" was not the same one used in the original soundtrack recording, which was found to be technically unsuitable for CD processing, so already there are variations between the audio soundtrack and the film.

Original soundtrack cover

* (1) Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss), 18:13, Karl Böhm conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

(2) Requiem for Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two Mixed Choirs &;Orchestra (György Ligeti), 4:18, Francis Travis conducting the Bavarian Radio Orchestra

(3) Lux Aeterna (György Ligeti), 7:58, Choir of Norddeutscher Rundfunk under Helmut Franz

(4) The Blue Danube (Johann Strauss Jr.), 4:56, Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

(5) Gayane Ballet Suite (Adagio) (Aram Khachaturian), 5:21, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky

(6) Atmospheres (György Ligeti), 8:38, Südwestfunk Orchestra conducted by Ernest Bour

(7) Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss), 1:41, Karl Böhm conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

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CD Soundtrack #2

The soundtrack turned up on MCA Records in 1986. The front cover, intriguingly, describes it as "Music inspired by MGM's presentation of the Stanley Kubrick Production 2001: A Space Odyssey". CD ref MCAD- 31195.

Cover of 1986 soundtrack release

* (1) Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss), 1:37, Karl Böhm conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

(2) Requiem for Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two Mixed Choirs and Orchestra, 4:09, Francis Travis conducting The Bavarian Radio Orchestra

(3) Lux Aeterna (György Ligeti), 5:54, Stuttgart Schola Cantorum conducted by Clytus Gottwald

(4) The Blue Danube (Johann Strauss), 6:55, The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Herbert von Karajan

(5) Gayane Ballet Suite - Adagio (Aram Khachaturian), 5:12, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensk

(6) Atmospheres (György Ligeti), 8:26, Südwestfunk Orchestra conducted by Ernest Bour

(7) The Blue Danube (Johann Strauss), 3:25, The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Herbert von Karajan

(8) Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss), 1:37, The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Karl Bohm

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CD Soundtrack #3

A variation on the original soundtrack and cover was released in 1990 with a "CBS Special Products" label. This release included the overture, missing from the Polydor and MCA releases. The interesting liner notes refer to the common misconception that "Also Sprach Zarathustra" is the first music heard in 2001, when in fact Ligeti's "Atmospheres" originally provided the musical introduction prior to the curtains opening. It was also used in the interval, to lure patrons back to their seats in time for the dramatic opening to part 2. There is a change in the playing sequence from the Polydor version, Ligeti's Requiem being moved from "The Dawn of Man" encounter with the monolith to what is referred to as "Star Gate". Also, this CD has a different version of "Lux Aeterna". CD ref AK 45439

Cover of 1990 soundtrack release

* (1) Overture: Atmospheres (excerpt) (György Ligeti), 2:47, Südwestfunk Orchestra conducted by Ernest Bour

(2) Title Music: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss), 1:39, Karl Böhm conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

(3) From Earth to the Moon: The Blue Danube (Johann Strauss Jr.), 9:49, Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

(4) TMA-1: Lux Aeterna (György Ligeti), 5:57, Stuttgart Schola Cantorum conducted by Clytus Gottwald

(5) Discovery: Adagio from Gayane Ballet Suite (Aram Khachaturian), 5:13, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky

(6) Star Gate: Requiem for Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two Mixed Choirs &;Orchestra (György Ligeti), 5:58, Francis Travis conducting the Bavarian Radio Orchestra and Chorus

(7) Star Gate II: Atmospheres (György Ligeti), 8:37, Südwestfunk Orchestra conducted by Ernest Bour

(8) Transfiguration: Also Sprach Zarathustra, 1:39, Karl Böhm conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

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CD Soundtrack #4

Cover of the digitally remastered soundtrack. Released in 1989 by EMI Records Ltd., ref CDP 7933022

* (1) Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss) (Main Title), 1:41, Karl Böhm conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

(2) Requiem for Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two Mixed Choirs and Orchestra (György Ligeti) (The Monolith), 4:15, Francis Travis conducting the Bavarian Radio Orchestra

(3) Lux Aeterna (György Ligeti) (The Lunar Landscape), 6:00, Stuttgart Schola Cantorum conducted by Clytus Gottwald

(4) The Blue Danube (Johann Strauss Jr.) (The Space Station), 6:56, Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

(5) Gayane Ballet Suite (Aram Khachaturian) (The Discovery), 5:16, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky

(6) Atmospheres (György Ligeti) (Beyond the Infinite), 8:39, Südwestfunk Orchestra conducted by Ernest Bour

(7) The Blue Danube (Johann Strauss Jr.) (End Titles), 3:32, Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

8) Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss) (The Star Child), 1:39, Karl Böhm conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

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CD Soundtrack #5

I cannot help feeling intrigued that Turner Entertainment Co. released the most definitive version yet of the 2001 soundtrack in 1996. The only significant 2001- related event in 1996 that I am aware of is the opening of this site! I had no knowledge of the new CD until I found it in the music store racks, quite by chance.

In fact, I believe the reason was to prepare for the renewed interest in 2001 in 1997, with Hal's birthday. They have pulled all the stops out with this one, and it makes a great "double set" with the Alex North soundtrack (see below). It contains all the music used in the film, and also all the extra music that was released on the original MGM soundtrack album. It comes with card slip cover, bearing a label which reads as follows.

THE ULTIMATE SOUNDTRACK TRIP!
WORLD PREMIERE OF THE ORIGINAL
Soundtrack Recordings to the
SCI-FI MASTERPIECE
Plus Deluxe Booklet and More!

The 24-page booklet is well illustrated with scenes, both from the film and the set, including several I have not seen reproduced anywhere else. I understand some of this is available on the laser version of 2001, which I am not familiar with.

The text is the work of Robert C. Cumbow, a concise but first- rate description and analysis of the film, as well as some excellent notes about the music.

The CD itself contains some fascinating supplemental material, too. The original soundtrack version of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" is included to supplement the version actually used in the film, and an extended cut of Ligeti's Lux Aeterna supplements the film-length version.

The two concluding tracks are of most interest. I wonder how many people ever realised that the "sounds" that accompanied Dave during his existence in the "hotel suite" were in fact another composition by Ligeti? Well, here it is in full. And, particularly relevant in relation to the "Hal Transcripts", the final track is titled "HAL 9000", and is an edited montage of many of Hal's dialogues.

All in all, anyone who is looking to acquire or update their copy of the soundtrack should have this one at the top of the list, and being recently released it should be easy to find.

Plus, you do not have to take my word for any of this. Rhino Records has the complete details, including all the liner notes, on their Web pages. Check them out from the Places page.

Cover of the 1996 soundtrack. Released by Turner Entertainment Co., ref R2 72562, manufactured and marketed by Rhino Records Inc.

* (1) Overture: Atmospheres (György Ligeti), 2:49, Ernest Bour conducting the Südwestfunk Orchestra

(2) Main Title: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss), 1:41, Herbert von Karajan conducting the Vienna Philharmonic

(3) Requiem for Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two Mixed Choirs and Orchestra (György Ligeti), 6:33, Francis Travis conducting the Bavarian Radio Orchestra

(4) The Blue Danube (Johann Strauss Jr.) (Excerpt), 5:42, Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

(5) Lux Aeterna (György Ligeti), 2:52, Clytus Gottwald conducting the Stuttgart Schola Cantorum

(6) Gayane Ballet Suite (Adagio) (Aram Khachaturian), 5:15, Gennadi Rezhdestvensky conducting the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra

(7) Jupiter and Beyond, 15:13:
(a) Requiem for Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two Mixed Choirs and Orchestra (György Ligeti), Francis Travis conducting the Bavarian Radio Orchestra;
(b) Atmospheres (György Ligeti), Ernest Bour conducting the Südwestfunk Orchestra;
(c) Adventures (György Ligeti) (altered for film), György Ligeti conducting the Internationale Musikinstitut Darmstadt

(8) Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss), 1:11, Herbert von Karajan conducting the Vienna Philharmonic

(9) The Blue Danube (Johann Strauss Jr.), 8:17, Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

(10) Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss) (from original MGM soundtrack), 1:39, Ernest Bour conducting the Südwestfunk Orchestra

(11) Lux Aeterna (György Ligeti) (from original MGM soundtrack), 5:59, Clytus Gottwald conducting the Stuttgart Schola Cantorum

(12) Adventures (György Ligeti), 10:51, György Ligeti conducting the Internationale Musikinstitut Darmstadt

(13) HAL 9000, 9:11.

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Alex North's 2001

Varèse Sarabande did a fine job with the recreation and release in 1993 of Alex North's previously unheard score for 2001. It's a top production, the cover illustration is striking and the booklet is really packed with information, mostly new to me.

Alex North was a noted soundtrack composer who had previously worked with Kubrick on the 1960 release of Spartacus. By all accounts, North was very disappointed that his 2001 music was not used and the score effectively vanished, until Robert Townson (who co- produced the CD with Jerry Goldsmith) and the Varèse Sarabande people undertook the daunting task of resurrecting it. All the details of this project appear in the CD booklet.

The booklet also includes detailed notes on each track and a biography of Alex North, written by Kevin Mulhall (I can find no information about Kevin). Alex North succumbed to ill health in 1991.

This CD, and the 1996 Turner release of the "real" soundtrack described above, make a good "double" set and a source of intriguing comparisons between what was, and what might have been.

Cover of Alex North's 2001. Released by Varèse Sarabande Records Inc. 1993, ref VSD-5400

* (1) Main Title, 1:37
(2) The Foraging, 3:44
(3) Eat Meat and The Kill, 3:27
(4) The Bluff, 3:01
(5) Night Terrors, 2:02
(6) The Dawn of Man, 3:14
(7) Space Station Docking, 2:22
(8) Trip to the Moon, 3:21
(9) Moon Rocket Bus, 5:01
(10) Space Talk, 3:30
(11) Interior Orion, 1:26
(12) Main Theme, 2:31

Jerry Goldsmith conducting The National Philharmonic Orchestra

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The 2010 soundtrack

This was one of the first soundtracks to be released in CD as well as LP form. The CD was only "in print" for a short time before being withdrawn, so is not easy to find, though not impossible. In fact, there are at least two slightly different versions of the CD, both released by A & M Records Inc. in 1984. They share the same recording, but one copy is made in Japan while the other comes from West Germany. The inner insert and the CD itself are printed differently.

The cover notes are fascinating historical reading for electronic music fans like myself, so since the album is out of print I hope the A & M people will not be too upset if I reproduce most of them below.

David Shire, Craig Huxley and Andy Summers are all very well known artists in the electronic and contemporary music world today, and it is a surprising gap in their own careers for this soundtrack to be unavailable. Perhaps I can start a movement to have it re- released! It is certainly good enough to warrant it.

Incidentally, I was recently challenged about the real title of this movie. I had it as "2010: The Year We Make Contact", which is indeed correct according to some sources. However, the CD, and I believe the film itself, give the title as simply "2010". (Arthur C. Clarke's book was "2010: Odyssey Two").

Cover of 2010 soundtrack.

* (1) "2010" Performed by Andy Summers, 5:15. Based on "Also Sprach Zarathustra". Composed by Richard Strauss (who would no doubt be turning in his grave to hear his work being treated like this...)
(2) Earth/Space, 3:15
(3) Probe, 4:15
(4) Bowman, 1:44
(5) Reactivating Discovery, 2:24
(6) Space Linkup/Earth Fallout, 3:55
(7) Visitation/Countdown, 5:47
(8) Nova/New Worlds/Also Sprach Zarathustra (excerpt), 6:23
(9) New Worlds Theme from "2010" (End Title), 2:30

2010

Score produced by Craig Huxley and David Shire.

Electronic music performed by David Shire and Craig Huxley (courtesy of Sonic Atmospheres). Electronic music recorded at The Enterprise. Engineered by Craig Huxley. Orchestral music recorded by Aaron Rochin at MGM Studios. Remixed by Craig Huxley. Original orchestral music orchestrated by Herbert Spencer. All of the original music, with the exception of "New Worlds" and the second half of "New Worlds Theme" was entirely synthesized using the New England Digital Synclavier II, Yamaha DX-1 and Roland Jupiter-8. The Blaster Beam was used on "Reactivating Discovery." No resynthesis or sampling was employed on the Synclavier. All electronic music was recorded with an Amek 3500 mixing desk and Otari MTR 90 24-track recorder and remixed to a Mitsubishi X-80 digital recorder.

"2010" produced by Richard Rudolph.

Arranged by Andy Summers and Tony Humecke. All guitars by Andy Summers. All keyboards by Tony Humecke (courtesy of A &;R Entertainment Corp.). Bass: Chris Childs. Simmons Drums: Jahmun Arran. Linn Programming: Tony Humecke. Engineered by Geoff Emerick.

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Soundtrack composers

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Richard Strauss b. 1864 d. 1949

Also Sprach Zarathustra
When composed: 1896
Scenes: Opening Title; Moonwatcher; The Star Child

Also used (after a fashion!) in "2010: The Year We Make Contact"

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György Ligeti b. 1923

Requiem for Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Two Mixed Choirs and Orchestra

When composed: 1963-1965
Scenes: The Monolith; Star Gate

Lux Aeterna

When composed: 1966
Scene: Moonbus to TMA-1
Francis Travis conducting the Bavarian Radio Orchestra and Chorus

Also used in "2010: The Year We Make Contact"
Helmut Franz conducting the North German Radio Chorus

Atmospheres

When composed: 1961
Scenes: Overture; Beyond the Infinite

Adventures

Scene: The "Hotel Suite"

*Johann Strauss Jr b. 1825 d. 1899

The Blue Danube

When composed: 1867
Scenes: The Space Station; Journey to the Moon; End Titles

*Aram Ilich Khachaturian b. 1903 d. 1978

Adagio from Gayane Ballet Suite

When composed: 1941 - 1943
Scenes: The Discovery

*Alex North b. 1910 d. 1991

The Unused Score: Alex North's 2001

When composed: 1967-1968

I am still working on pictures for the 2010 and Solaris composers. I have a picture of Craig Huxley, who produced 2010 - many thanks to the people at his own studios for that - and did have a picture of David Shire here, but it was not one I felt happy about displaying. I am also looking out for Edouard Artemyev.

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*Three for the collection

Video covers.

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All text: Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998 by Underman

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