Soundtrack.net interviews Hans Zimmer

You can find the article here.

It's part one of two. Interesting read, but I have a problem with one thing he said.

He talked about how one reviewer criticized him for not using any woodwinds (in DMC). Zimmer's response was that woodwinds wouldn't fit into a Bruckheimer movie. Are you serious!? I'll admit, I hold a special place for the woodwinds, so I'm a little biased. But come on, woodwinds can work anywhere. I particularly like them in action music -- which is exactly what Bruckheimer makes. Woodwinds don't just have to be lovely and pretty. They can add a lot to any type of music and he is hindering the scores by saying they wouldn't work.

He says it's his choice not to use woodwinds, and I respect his choice, but to say they have no place in a Bruckheimer movie is just wrong.

 

that was very interesting. i thought it was clever that every one of the major theme's in pirates 2 started with the same 3 notes. can't wait for the second part.

 

Did you also think it was clever that the Black Pearl theme was an almost note for note duplication of the middle of "The Battle" from The Gladiator?

Beginning at 5:53 (in "The Battle") for those of you who wish to compare.

Hans Zimmer is probably his own biggest fan.

 

It's hardly new that a composer reuses his own work.

John Williams. Hook = Across the Stars
James Horner. Aliens = Star Trek 3
Jerry Goldsmith. Air Force One = First Contact.
Mozart. Horn Concerto No 3 = One of his Piano Concertos (specific number eludes me)
Danny Elfman. Pick a score = Pick another score

Happens all the time

 

I would remove Elfman from that list entirely and give his description to Horner, personally.

 

Way harsh.

 

Yes, they may reuse similar orchestrations or arrangements, but Hans Zimmer, and James Horner, for that matter, both seem to be a little more blatant in their self-plagiarization. I mean, come on, reusing themes almost note for note is a little excessive, is it not?

And as for Mozart, most of his stuff he turned out on a daily basis for parties and dances at night. The stuff that he had much longer to write, such as the "Chromatic Sonata," (I believe it is one of his later ones but the opus number escapes me) shows almost no self-plagiarization and a totally different and interesting side of his music.

 

It also doesn't hurt that Zimmer did NOT compose PotC. Klaus Badelt did, so the blame for stealing so much music from Gladiator should go to him as well. Zimmer picked up with PotC2 and while he composed a new soundtrack, he called on some of the stolen themes from the first soundtrack just for continuity.

 

Zimmer did write a portion of the original POTC. He says so himself in the interview.

 

He wrote all the major themes. Badelt didn't do much, along with 11 other composers, IIRC.

 

I searched for a thread on Gladiator to post and found this.
I just recently purchased this soundtrack (I know, a little late)and I have to say I am in love with it.
Having seen Gladiator only once, this music made me go back and watch it again, listening to the music. I think it is brilliant! He captured Rome, the Barbarians, the emperor ect. perfectly for me. I cried the first few times I listened to the music.
Reading through this thread I am getting that some did not like it?

 

In the film score world, most people would agree that all you need is Crimson Tide, The Rock, and occasionally Gladiator for a good MV/RC listen.

 

Zimmer's less bombastic scores impress me far more than his higher profile action scores.

The Prince of Egypt, The Thin Red Line, and even The Last Samurai are examples I would point to as having more depth and feeling than his other, louder efforts.

 

I know MV, but what does RC stand for?
edit: remote control? Just read it in the "fav. instrument" thread...

 

Yeah, Remote Control.

 

Better known composers who have worked at MV/RCP in the past, Harry and Rupert Gregson-Williams, Klaus Badelt, John Powell, Nick Glennie-Smith, and Mark Mancina.

 

I generally don't consider HGW or John Powell as members of MV, because I think they left. Their scores are interesting (see: Chicken Run, X-Men: The Last Stand, Kingdom of Heaven, Antz.)

 

Thats why I said "in the past." Even so, some of their music still shows signs of being influenced by their time at MV/RCP. Those two are, however, some of the brighter prospects to come out from under Zimmer's wing, and even though HGW writes themes in a similar fashion to Zimmer, his use of electronics is much more tasteful that Zimmer's.

 

HGW is really hit and miss with me, but overall, a good composer.

 

I think Harry Gregson-Williams is somebody to watch. I have a feeling he's going to produce some really great stuff. Kingdom of Heaven and Narnia were my two favorite score of 2005. John Powell is good to be sure, but he hasn't really impressed me the way HGW has.

 

Hans Zimmer is an excellent composer. The music he composes is so moving and powerful. Especially the ones from Pirates of the Carribean.

 

Hans Zimmer only did the second POTC film. Klaus Bedalt scored the first film. And though the Pirates scores are fun and bombastic, they are also silly and cheesy. Zimmer has far better work. Gladiator, The Lion King and Prince of Egypt are far superior.

 

Yes, I know that. But it's not cheesy nor silly. It's actually really moving and powerful. I cry everytime I listen to the Davy Jones Theme. And when I want to get angry, I listen to The Kraken. So don't tell me that.

 

I was not impressed enough with the score for the second film to spend 16 bucks on the CD. I mean Zimmer is okay. I have several of his scores. I just don't think he is all that great nor does he come anywhere close to the greats like Goldsmith and Williams.

 

Well that's why you should download or listen to the song(s) first before you actually buy them. Like me for example. But that's your opinion and mine is already here. But Hans Zimmer is still an excellent composer, period. John William's Star Wars music (At least some of them) are a bit too geeky-sounding.

EDIT: Listen to these:

GK edit: Linking to copyright material is not allowed.

If anyone says that those two scores are NOT powerful or moving, then you don't have a passionate heart.