Hans Zimmer Appreciation Thread

[Ollie 1,375]

I believe Morlock is correct.

Zimmer stated awhile back that he composed the themes and Badelt (and his 15 other co-composers) worked off of those.

[Wesker 0]

I don't know, the more I look at the whole Pirates situation, the more i see similarities with it and the original Bond, Barry/Norman scenario.

The little we know (and i guess we know Badelt was lying/covering for Hans, primarily in that FSM interview after Black Pearl was released) indicates that Zimmer wrote more of the thematic elements, but really didn't progress any further before handing the reigns over to his team. Badelt's contribution, however, is important in a sense- he arranged the version of "He's a Pirate" that connects the more mainstream audience to the series, musically. In a similar fashion to what Barry did for Norman, though on a smaller scale.

Many people tend to confuse what a composer and arranger does, because it can be easy to do so, especially in odd circumstances such as these. However, Klaus did take what little Hans gave him, and arranged it in a more "coherent" manner, leaving out some of the overly audacious parts that Zimmer would later add to the films, but still keeping in direct trot with the general MV sound.

Once again, this is based around what we have of the collection cd and interview(s), but one can make a strong case I think that this was the more logical sequence of events to the (somewhat) controversial outcome.

[Neimoidian 15]

Here one can find 4 tracks form the upcoming Zimmer's score to Frost/Nixon.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

I'm liking what I hear. Ron Howard and Hans make a great team.

[Nick Parker 3,049]

There are so many things I can say....

[Hitch 60]

Bring back James Horner to the Ron Howard fold?

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Horner got dumped for Hans, Silvestri got dumped for Hans... evarybody lova da Hans!

[indy4 160]

Da Vinci Code and Apollo 13 were a great scores, but neither come close to capturing the awesomness of Far and Away. Bring back Johnny!

[Koray Savas 2,260]

As much as I love the main theme from Far And Away, I think The Da Vince Code surpasses it.

[Richard P 5,303]

I like parts of Da Vinci code, but not the bits where it gets overly loud or the strings are just hammering away rather atonally.

The quieter, more operatic bits are where I think we see an unusual side of Zimmer; I particularly like Rose of Arimathea and the cue that builds up base strings before 'releasing' an uplifting string melody and then quietens down again into the next track (I made a suite containing it so I don't remember what cue it is).

[Koray Savas 2,260]

The Citrine Cross always gets my hairs on end.

[Richard P 5,303]

That cue starts out quite cool, but it just gets too loud and busy and a 'wall' of sound.

I think the cue I was referring to earlier was Poisoned Chalice.

[John Crichton 4]

Oh God, more spam!

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Hey, hey, hey! This is the Hans Zimmer Appreciation Thread. If you don't like it, get out!

[John Crichton 4]

Such a serious reply to such a lighthearted comment.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

I was actually messing around. Remember, exclamation points usually mean I'm not serious. And I didn't realize that there was actually more spam on the forum.

[John Crichton 4]

Remember, exclamation points usually mean I'm not serious.

Hmm, I actually never realized that. Duly noted. And I'll leave you to your Hanzy love.

[Jill Sandwich 11,166]

omg zimmer teh better dan williams becauz he sounds more classical

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Once the Indy set comes out, we have this to look forward to!!

[Matt C 605]

I'm listening to Kung Fu Panda right now.

Superb stuff, a much better score than The Dark Knight. Not that score isn't enjoyable, I really enjoy the ethnic instrumentation and the wholly orchestral nature of it all. Zimmer's at his best when he stays away from his synths and electronics, particularly with John frickin' Powell working alongside him. "Sacred Pool of Tears" and "Oogway Ascends" are more than enough to plunk down money for a copy of the soundtrack, electronic download or physical CD.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

I agree, great stuff. One of the better scores of this year.

[indy4 160]

Indeed. KFP is a very good score.

[Neimoidian 15]

Hardly. I didn't like that score and was very disappointed. There are just few tracks that are interesting to me and the rest is simply boring. Judging by style, it was Zimmer's heavy-hand approach that I find particularly unbearable in it.

[Desplat13 1]

I have not heard the score, but it seems like a step backwards for Powell to collaborate with Zimmer.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Since when is having fun on a score with your friend a step back?

[Desplat13 1]

I just meant as far as usual quality of output. But, like I said, I haven't heard the score.

[Matt C 605]

I just meant as far as usual quality of output. But, like I said, I haven't heard the score.

You really should if you adore Chinese-flavored orchestral scores... I'd say Powell's contributions are a nice progression of his work from Happy Feet and Ice Age: The Meltdown. I also think that one of his regular orchestrators -- Jane Antonia Cornish -- also has a hand in crafting a fresher sound for Powell in KFP.

In fact, you should check out Cornish's score for Island of Lost Souls -- if that's not a masterpiece of composition and orchestration, then I don't know what is.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

I really like Cornish as well. She's got talent.

[Desplat13 1]

I just meant as far as usual quality of output. But, like I said, I haven't heard the score.

You really should if you adore Chinese-flavored orchestral scores... I'd say Powell's contributions are a nice progression of his work from Happy Feet and Ice Age: The Meltdown. I also think that one of his regular orchestrators -- Jane Antonia Cornish -- also has a hand in crafting a fresher sound for Powell in KFP.

In fact, you should check out Cornish's score for Island of Lost Souls -- if that's not a masterpiece of composition and orchestration, then I don't know what is.

Wait, the composer for Island of Lost Souls is a regular orchestrator for John Powell? I haven't heard the score, but it seems to be well regarded by, well, most everyone. Interesting...

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Click! This is a great interview with HZ.

THR: What filmmakers from another era would you have liked to work with?

Zimmer: (Andrei) Tarkovsky would be my No. 1. Ernst Lubitsch and Billy Wilder. Sergio Leone. But on the other hand, I would never want to work with Leone because it would have taken away the pleasure of discovering what Ennio Morricone did. I think it's good to have heroes, and he's still one of my musical heroes. I think his work ethic is second to none; his craft is second to none; and the emotion that comes from his music is second to none. He can make things work with a good tune and very few forces in the orchestra. He is not a minimalist, and nor am I, (though) I like to go there sometimes. "Dark Knight" is minimalist: What can I do within one note as opposed to one note within the context of many? But "Kung Fu Panda" is not. "Gladiator" definitely is not. It is excessive romanticism meets rock 'n' roll.

Here is the thing that I figured out very quickly: If you don't form lots of different styles, you will get typecast in this town really quickly. You have to fight to let people know that you can do comedies and action stuff because it interests you. Look at what a versatile composer John Williams is. Look at (1977's) "Star Wars" and (1988's) "The Accidental Tourist." I mean, the only thing they have in common is that they are masterful scores and are appropriate. "Close Encounters (of the Third Kind)" (1977), I think, is one of the great symphonic tone poems of the 20th century.

[Henry B 51]

Hm, Zimmer comes off as well versed in film music and respectful of the greats as usual. Why can't he translate this stuff into his own compositions more often?

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Maybe he does? The people here just don't hear it.

[Delorean90 47]

I think the key phrase there was "more often."

[Koray Savas 2,260]

My comment still stands.

[Delorean90 47]

Meh.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Click! Another great article, that goes into the depths of Zimmer.

It's no accident that Scott is comfortable comparing Zimmer to Goldsmith, one of the greats, and it's a comparison that Zimmer is humbled by. For despite all of his accomplishments, Zimmer is convinced there's still plenty of work to be done if he is to be mentioned in the same breath as his heroes.

"I just look at the quality of the work these people have done, and I never considered myself one of those composers. Maybe that's why I talk less about music and more about the filmmaker. I never have and still don't consider myself musically in the same league of John Williams or Jerry Goldsmith or Ennio Morricone. But I think good composers, and the ones that have maintained their careers, are the ones that have found an appropriate voice for the movie at the time."

[Neimoidian 15]

Click! Another great article, that goes into the depths of Zimmer.

It's no accident that Scott is comfortable comparing Zimmer to Goldsmith, one of the greats, and it's a comparison that Zimmer is humbled by. For despite all of his accomplishments, Zimmer is convinced there's still plenty of work to be done if he is to be mentioned in the same breath as his heroes.

"I just look at the quality of the work these people have done, and I never considered myself one of those composers. Maybe that's why I talk less about music and more about the filmmaker. I never have and still don't consider myself musically in the same league of John Williams or Jerry Goldsmith or Ennio Morricone. But I think good composers, and the ones that have maintained their careers, are the ones that have found an appropriate voice for the movie at the time."

for Mr Scott.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

I just came across this comment over at HZ's page on Last.fm

'Now We are Free' was played at my dad's funeral today. It was so epic!!!!!!

I don't know what's more worrying, the fact that Zimmer was played at a funeral or that the person thought it was epic.

[Jill Sandwich 11,166]

Cheerful fella.

[FattyMcButterpants 1]

Here is the thing that I figured out very quickly: If you don't form lots of different styles, you will get typecast in this town really quickly.

Well, that worked out well ...

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Here is the thing that I figured out very quickly: If you don't form lots of different styles, you will get typecast in this town really quickly.

Well, that worked out well ...

It did, Hans can do anything.

[FattyMcButterpants 1]

... and it would still be appreciated by certain people, yes.

Maybe he can, but he doesn't. Zimmer is a typecast if I ever saw one.

[Jill Sandwich 11,166]

It did, Hans can do anything.

Except write music.

[indy4 160]

I just came across this comment over at HZ's page on Last.fm

'Now We are Free' was played at my dad's funeral today. It was so epic!!!!!!

I don't know what's more worrying, the fact that Zimmer was played at a funeral or that the person thought it was epic.

[Trent B 354]

Thank god that Zimmer never thought of himself in the same league as Jerry Goldsmith. If he did that man would have to be slapped down a few times.

[Ollie 1,375]

I just came across this comment over at HZ's page on Last.fm

'Now We are Free' was played at my dad's funeral today. It was so epic!!!!!!

I don't know what's more worrying, the fact that Zimmer was played at a funeral or that the person thought it was epic.

I'd rise from the dead and slap whoever played that gibberish at my funeral.

[indy4 160]

The was for the fact that the person who posted that comment seemed excited about their father's funeral.

[Ollie 1,375]

I know.

[Nick Parker 3,049]

Hm, what John Williams piece would I want played at my funeral? Uh oh, I sense a poll coming on....

[Koray Savas 2,260]

I think we've had that before. I'd have the Theme From Schindler's List played, followed by the March From 1941