Also sprach Zarathustra — Orchestral Sheet Music
Richard Strauss’s immortal Sunrise fanfare, arranged for full symphony orchestra by Paul Lorenz — the concert opener that commands every room
Edition facts
Also sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, arranged by Paul Lorenz for orchestra: full score (3 pages) and separate parts (16 pages), delivered as a PDF (A4) for instant download, €19.90.
- Instrumentation
- Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon · Horn, Trumpet, Trombone · Timpani · Organ · Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double bass
- Pages
- 19 pages — full score (3) + separate parts (16)
- Tempo
- ♩ = 69
- Edition
- 2022
- Format
- PDF, A4, instant download
Read from the PDF you download.
The moment Richard Strauss wrote the first three notes of Also sprach Zarathustra, he could not have known that seventy years later, Stanley Kubrick would use those notes to announce the birth of human consciousness — and that every orchestra that plays them since would be playing that announcement too. This professional orchestral sheet music arrangement brings that iconic Sunrise fanfare to your ensemble with the engraving quality and performance-readiness it deserves: MOLA-compliant staff sizes, optimised page turns, and every part extracted and proofread for the stand.
Every conductor who has programmed Also sprach Zarathustra as a concert opener knows the problem: IMSLP scans are inconsistent, traditional rental fees start at €150 per performance, and the opening fanfare — ninety seconds that an audience has been waiting their entire lives to hear live — deserves something better than a photocopy. This arrangement is a single purchase, covers unlimited performances, and delivers to your inbox within minutes of payment. Download the parts, distribute, and perform.
Hear the arrangement
Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this arrangement.
Listen to the full recording Artyfile Stream · lossless Hi-FiChoose your “Also sprach Zarathustra” edition
Orchestra
€19.90Orchestra · 19 pages: score + parts · PDF (A4)
Every part also for other instruments – included ↓
The complete performance package for the iconic 2001: A Space Odyssey opening theme. Conductor score and all orchestral parts, ready for the stand, ready for performance — one purchase, unlimited performances, no return obligation.
- Instant PDF download
- Secure checkout
- Licensed edition
Parts for your instrumentation
Every instrumental part of this edition is also available for other instruments – included in the price. Transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing.
| Original part | Also available for |
|---|---|
| Flute | Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Trumpet in B♭, Violin, Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola |
| Oboe | Flute, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Trumpet in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Viola |
| Clarinet in B♭ | Flute, Oboe, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Trumpet in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, Horn in F, English horn in F, Flugelhorn in B♭, Viola |
| Bass clarinet in B♭ | Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola, Trombone, Bassoon, Cello, Double bass |
| Bassoon | Horn in F, English horn in F, Viola, Trombone, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Horn in F | Flute 1+2, Oboe 1+2, Clarinet 1+2 in B♭, Soprano saxophone 1+2 in B♭, Trumpet 1+2 in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone 1+2 in E♭, English horn 1+2 in F, Flugelhorn 1+2 in B♭, Viola, Tenor saxophone 1+2 in B♭, Trombone 1+2, Euphonium 1+2, Bassoon 1+2, Bass clarinet 1+2 in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Trumpet in B♭ | Flute 1+2, Oboe 1+2, Clarinet 1+2 in B♭, Soprano saxophone 1+2 in B♭, Violin, Horn 1+2 in F, Viola |
| Trombone | Horn 1+2 in F, English horn 1+2 in F, Flugelhorn 1+2 in B♭, Viola, Euphonium 1+2, Bassoon 1+2, Bass clarinet 1+2 in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Violin I | Clarinet 1+2 in B♭, Soprano saxophone 1+2 in B♭, Viola |
| Violin II | Viola |
| Viola | Violin, Cello |
| Cello | Double bass |
“1+2”: a part divided for two players. Where the original part has double stops or chords, two wind players share the notes – marked “div.” and “a 2”.
Buy. After your purchase you receive your personal link to the Part Configurator by e-mail.
Choose part and instrument. For example the Oboe part as Alto saxophone in E♭.
Download the PDF. The first time a part is requested it takes about a minute to set; after that it is ready at once – with your name as the license notice.
How the Part Configurator works →Need a different instrumentation? After your purchase you can send Paul Lorenz a request.
Quality in detail
- Concert-Ready Score: MOLA-standard 8.5mm staff sizes and 600 DPI resolution — legible from the conductor’s stand and on an iPad with forScore.
- Complete Orchestral Package: Every part included in one download. No assembly, no missing pages, no surprises at rehearsal.
- Instant Digital Delivery: Purchase and distribute parts to your orchestra within minutes — no rental application, no waiting, no return logistics.
- Licensed for Your Orchestra: Strauss’s work is public domain. Your purchase licenses this arrangement for performances by your orchestra — print as many copies as you need; any PRO reporting is handled by the organiser as usual.
- The Iconic Sunrise Fanfare: Arranged specifically as a self-contained concert opener — the exact 90-second passage that defines the opening of
- Bespoke Customisation: Missing an instrument in your ensemble? Every instrumental part is also available for other instruments — the oboe part for alto saxophone, for example — through the Part Configurator included with your purchase. For anything beyond that, Paul Lorenz adapts the instrumentation to your specific roster.
Also sprach Zarathustra sheet music at a glance
| Work | Also sprach Zarathustra — Richard Strauss (1896); the opening Sunrise fanfare made famous by 2001: A Space Odyssey — public domain |
| Arrangement | Full symphony orchestra — the iconic Sunrise fanfare, arranged as a self-contained concert opener |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road |
| Scoring | Full A3 conductor’s score plus every orchestral part — strings, woodwinds, brass, timpani and percussion |
| Difficulty | Grade 5–6 — professional to advanced ensembles |
| Format | High-resolution 600 DPI PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready |
| Licensing | Public-domain work; arrangement licensed for performances by the purchasing ensemble — no rental fee; standard PRO reporting by the organiser |
| Reference recording | Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording — on this page and on Artyfile Stream |
| Price | €19.90 |
Is this edition right for you?
Program the Sunrise fanfare when you want a concert to open on an image the whole hall already recognises. This edition is written for:
- Symphony and civic orchestras opening a gala, season launch or New Year’s concert
- Conductors who need a self-contained ninety-second opener rather than the full thirty-three-minute tone poem
- Ensembles who want engraved, MOLA-standard parts on the stand instead of inconsistent public-domain scans
- Cinematic and film-music programmes built around 2001: A Space Odyssey
Need a transposition or a substitute part for a missing instrument? Paul Lorenz adapts it on request — just ask before you buy.
What you receive
- The full A3 conductor’s score
- Every orchestral part — strings, woodwinds, brass, timpani and percussion — individually extracted and proofread
- High-resolution PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental, no return
Programming Also sprach Zarathustra
Few passages earn an audience’s attention as instantly as the Sunrise fanfare, which makes it an almost ideal first sound of an evening — the low organ-pedal rumble, the rising trumpet call, the two great orchestral chords that resolve into daylight. Place it at the very top of the programme, let the hall settle into silence before the first note, and give the final chords room to ring before the applause. It sets a monumental, late-Romantic tone that pairs naturally with Strauss’s contemporaries and with cinematic repertoire. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
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Also sprach Zarathustra sheet music — frequently asked questions
Can I hear this arrangement before I buy?
Yes. The player near the top of this page carries Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this arrangement, and it also streams in lossless quality on Artyfile Stream.
What is included in the download?
A complete performance package: the full conductor’s score in A3 format plus all individual orchestral parts — strings (Violin I/II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass), woodwinds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon), brass (Horns, Trumpets, Trombones, Tuba), and Timpani & Percussion — all as high-resolution 600 DPI PDFs optimised for print and tablet use. Everything your orchestra needs, in one download.
What is the difficulty level of this arrangement?
Grade 5–6, Professional to Advanced. This arrangement requires experienced section leaders and a conductor comfortable with late-Romantic orchestral writing. The writing adheres closely to Strauss’s original demands. For ensembles requiring a simplified version, Paul Lorenz Music can provide a bespoke adaptation on request.
Is a performance licence included?
Yes. Also sprach Zarathustra is in the public domain, and your purchase includes the licence to perform this arrangement with the purchasing ensemble — print parts for every musician, concerts and events included. Any reporting of the public performance to a performing-rights society (ASCAP/BMI/PRS, or GEMA/AKM/SUISA in the DACH region) is handled by the organiser as usual. For commercial recordings or broadcast, please contact us directly.
Can the arrangement be customised for my ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customisation — a capability unique in the professional sheet music market. Whether you need a substitute part for a missing instrument, a transposition, or a full re-orchestration for a non-standard ensemble, we can tailor this arrangement to your exact requirements. Contact us directly to discuss your needs.
Does this include the full tone poem or just the opening fanfare?
This arrangement is specifically designed around the iconic opening Sunrise fanfare — the approximately 90-second passage made famous by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. It is arranged as a self-contained concert opener, not the complete 33-minute tone poem. If you require the full work, contact us to discuss a bespoke commission.
What is your refund policy?
Due to the digital nature of our products, we cannot offer refunds once the download has been accessed. We encourage you to review the score preview carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Can I play the Oboe part on Alto saxophone in E♭?
Yes. The Part Configurator is included in the price: the Oboe part is also available for Flute, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭ and Trumpet in B♭ and 4 more instruments – transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing. You receive the link by e-mail after your purchase.
Which parts are available for other instruments?
12 instrumental parts for 18 instruments in all. The overview “Parts for your instrumentation” on this page lists every original part with its instruments. For a different instrumentation you can send Paul Lorenz a request after your purchase.
Am I allowed to use the re-scored parts?
Yes. Parts from the Part Configurator belong to the edition you bought and are covered by the same license – for your ensemble, with the same rights of use. Every part carries the notice “Licensed to …” in its footer. For public performances the organiser registers the performance with the collecting society as usual (e.g. PRS, ASCAP/BMI, GEMA).