Lio by Mark Tatulli for March 11, 2022

Um… which part of the soundtrack was that anyway? This:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3escvQEziag

Take one off and do Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

That title is on target. I knew exactly what it referred to…

Almost all of the music (except for Strauss’ Blue Danube) was by Gyorgy Ligeti. It was my introduction to his work and I have always loved it.

I think Lio is referring to György Ligeti’s Requiem for Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, 2 Mixed Choirs and Orchestra.

Excellent, maybe the Ligeti.

My God, it’s full of squids…

When I first saw the movie as a kid, that part of the soundtrack spooked me but it fit the deep space scenes perfectly. Only later did I learn it was actually classical music. All in all, Stanley Kubrick’s production of Arthur C. Clarke’s screenplay was a true masterpiece albeit the very convoluted ending. And for those who still don’t get it, the astronaut, Dave, after living out his human life was transformed into pure energy. Cue ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’, a classical piece that was essentially unknown at the time but became a pop culture icon afterwards. And of course, can anyone who has seen the movie NOT think of the slowly rotating space station when hearing ‘The Blue Danube’?

Followed by Billy Idol’s “Moany Moany”.

Atmosphères is the name of the piece, and yes, it was composed by György Ligeti.