Film Scores are meant to make you feel a movie scene more deeply, to tie you into a character, emotion, moment, or plot point in a way that facial expressions and dialogue may fail. The best film scores can stand on their own without the movie, and I listen to film scores as my background noise during work and often while I drive.
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For years, I have wanted to travel to Europe to see Hans Zimmer conduct a concert live; he’s truly one of the best film composers of all time and perhaps can be compared to John Williams in influence.
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When Hans Zimmer announced his North American tour, Sarah said “let’s go see him for your birthday this year!” He was performing in Chicago, but we both noticed that his Seattle performance was on my birthday – and Sarah has wanted to take me to Seattle because she has enjoyed that town so much.
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I was giddy, and honestly, Seattle helped build my excitement; we had a fantastic time; I think I could spend a week in Pike Place Market just enjoying all of the vendors, and I could probably spend another two days photographing the Ghery designed Museum of Pop Culture. There’s no “opener” for Hans Zimmer, you sit in your seat waiting…
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I loved all of it, from the opening vocals from House Atreides, to the Wonder Woman suite, to the Pirates suite and everything in between; Hans has 30-50 different musicians on stage at a time to perform the various pieces. It’s part symphony orchestra, part vocal virtuosos, and part rock band – and each musician has been selected by Hans.
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…But as the Man of Steel suite played – it moved me. The intensity and build of that score and the climax was an emotional experience for me; I was almost in tears. It was simply incredible – in a way that I can only feel through music.
Oh, and the last performance (before the encore) is a Lion King medley. You have not experienced the Lion King until it is performed live by Lebo M with a chorus.
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(No, I don’t have a photo, no photo could hold a candle to the concert.)