2001: A Space Odyssey (soundtrack) choir was performed at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, again accompanied by the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Wallfisch together with the choir Ex Cathedra. A presentation of the film accompanied by live orchestra and choir premiered in the United States on August 18, 2015, at The Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, California, accompanied by the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Brad Lubman together with the choir Los Angeles Master Chorale. "2001" is particularly remembered for the use of the opening theme from the Richard Strauss tone poem "Also sprach Zarathustra" (Usually translated as "Thus Spake Zarathustra" or "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" where
2001: A Space Odyssey (soundtrack) stages of production, Kubrick had actually commissioned a from Hollywood composer Alex North, who had written the score for "Spartacus" and also worked on "Dr. Strangelove". However, during postproduction, Kubrick chose to abandon North's music in favor of the now-familiar classical pieces he had earlier chosen as "guide pieces" for the soundtrack. North did not know of the abandonment of the score until after he saw the film's premiere screening. Also engaged to score the film was composer Frank Cordell. Cordell stated in interviews that the score would primarily consist of arrangements of Gustav Mahler works. This score remains unreleased.