Cristian Măcelaru, Conductor
Aaron Diehl Trio

M.L. Williams Zodiac Suite
Strauss Also sprach Zarathustra

Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra was already iconic with its epic introduction of earth-shattering chords and bone-shaking timpani hits, but in 1968 it truly launched into popular culture when it was used for the opening of Stanley Kubrick’s Academy Award–winning film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The work became synonymous with space exploration and excitement through a myriad of well-known titles from The Simpsons to Zoolander to Toy Story 2. Now, you can hear it live in an out-of-this-world performance by Your Philadelphia Orchestra!

Keeping in theme with the stars, composer and jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams’s Zodiac Suite—12 movements inspired by musicians born under each of the astrological signs—dazzles audiences thanks to the tremendous talent of pianist Aaron Diehl and the Aaron Diehl Trio. Conductor Cristian Măcelaru leads the Orchestra in this musical voyage to the outer realms of the galaxy.