2001: A Space Odyssey; Opening analysis

 2001: A Space Odyssey (Opening)

I think that one of the most defining features of the opening for one of the most iconic movies in history is the music. The music encapsulates the grandness, the mass of planets and stars. The shot tilts up to reveal the outline of the Earth and the bright presence of the Sun, while the music also rises with the tilt. The music, Sprach Zarathrusta by Strauss, makes the Earth and Sun seem like mythological giants or gods. 

In an article by nofilmschool, Kubrick initially was going to have Alex North, a seasoned composer, to make the score for 2001. But Kubrick found that North's compositions were "alienated" from the classical works Kubrick wanted him to take inspiration from, and a bit too cheerful for a serious film like 2001. Kubrick was completely fine with using already existing music for his films, and even encourages it, saying in his interview with Michel Ciment "Why use music which is less good when there is such a multitude of great orchestral music available from the past and from our own time? When you’re editing a film, it’s very helpful to be able to try out different pieces of music to see how they work with the scene".

For my film, I want music to be a massive aspect. I do not think I will be using classical music but I will definitely be very picky with the music I want: especially since 2001 is also characterized by very quiet scenes in between the great music. Because of such quiet scenes, it stirs me on to be more careful on the music I choose. It does not make it better that I have to choose royalty free music, but I already picked a few artists and studios. I am mainly leaning towards music owned by Creative Commons (Mainly looking into the composer Scott Buckley), Audiomachine, and Eternal Eclipse.

After listening to the original score by Alex North, I can't help but agree with Kubrick. Although North's music is not bad, it does lack the grandeur and spectacle that 2001 has; with the score sounding more like something to be put under a Stephen Spielberg film. There is an aspect that the old classicals had, like some sort of magic that could keep the viewers entertained and enraptured by the notes. And just like how Stanley Kubrick said in his interview "However good our best film composers may be, they are not a Beethoven, a Mozart or a Brahms".