Introduction
The virtual concert that was chosen for the review and analysis is The World of Hans Zimmer. The show was conducted by Martin Gellner and performed by ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien and Neue Wiener Stimmen ensembles (TheJadelyah 00:00:32-00:00:39). It was “held on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th of October 2018” at the Wiener Konzerthaus (“Hollywood in Vienna 2018 – Hans Zimmer”). The World of Hans Zimmer is an orchestral concert.
Composition Titles, Composers, and Composition Styles
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Description of Compositions of The World of Hans Zimmer
The Dark Knight composition
The opening composition is The Dark Knight. Hans Zimmer wrote the piece for the original soundtrack to the movie of the same title. The composition maintains an intriguing atmosphere, sometimes emphasizing the motifs of hope and threat, referring to the inherent conflict between Batman and Joker. The composition’s tempo is moderato, and it has a dynamic breakdown in the ending (TheJadelyah 00:05:15-00:05:23). It is also worth mentioning that The Dark Knight lasts for six minutes.
Mission Impossible II composition
Mission Impossible II is also part of an original soundtrack. The composition lasts about ten minutes and consists of two parts (TheJadelyah 00:06:15-00:15:42). The first part starts and ends with a guitar solo, and it has orchestral accompaniment in the middle. The first half of the composition reminds of the Spanish guitar tradition, which creates an atmosphere of romance and adventure. The second movement has both vocal and instrumental components. The second half of Mission Impossible II is a monumental loud piece. It evokes feelings of overcoming an ordeal. Both parts of the composition are performed in an allegro tempo with a soft beginning and end, while the middle is loud.
Rush composition
The next composition, which is Rush, is an instrumental orchestral composition. The piece creates the image of a certain hero who overcomes various trials on the way to his main goal, but the character loses in the end. This composition has a unified structure and lasts for six minutes (TheJadelyah 00:16:25-00:22:40). In Rush, the volume gradually increases from beginning to end, concluding with a quiet epilog. It is worth mentioning that the tempo of this composition is moderate.
Kung Fu Panda and The Da Vinci Code – Sakrileg compositions
Kung Fu Panda is a short instrumental solo piece performed in a moderate tempo before The Da Vinci Code – Sakrileg. The performance, which is accompanied by an orchestra, creates an atmosphere of traditional Chinese myth. The Da Vinci Code – Sakrileg is a lengthy instrumental and vocal composition (TheJadelyah 00:25:22-00:45:13). The composition features modern and renaissance instrumental motifs, while vocals and back vocals resemble a catholic choir. The tempo of The Da Vinci Code – Sakrileg movements, which are divided by several dynamic changes, range from andante to moderato.
Sherlock Holmes, Liebe Braucht Keine Ferien, and Hannibal compositions
Sherlock Holmes composition begins with a violin solo and continues with orchestra accompaniment. It is a mix of traditional Gypsy, English, and Funk styles with structural elements of waltz performed in an allegro tempo (TheJadelyah 00:48:45-00:49:00). The next instrumental orchestral composition is Liebe Braucht Keine Fieren. The piece is structurally and stylistically reminiscent of alternative rock songs. Liebe Braucht Keine Fieren has soft and loud episodes both in an allegro tempo. Next comes the Hannibal solo piece with a leading double bass and an accompanying orchestra and back vocals. Minor melody and moderato tempo create an atmosphere of tragedy.
Der Konig Der Lowen, Gladiator, Inception and Fluch Der Karibik compositions
Der Konig Der Lowen is an orchestral composition with instrumental and vocal parts in a moderate tempo. The alternation of minor and major melodies, as well as dynamic changes, create the atmosphere of the battle that the hero wins. The Gladiator also has instrumental and vocal parts that make an ancient Greco-Roman atmosphere (TheJadelyah 01:18:00-01:18:05). This composition is a solo piece performed in an allegro tempo. The penultimate piece is Inception, where traditional and electric instrumentalists create the atmosphere as someone discovers a new world. This solo piece, like the previous one, is in allegro tempo. The final instrumental composition is the dynamic Fluck Der Karibik, which has two parts; both are in an allegro tempo. Fluck Der Karibik creates an atmosphere of adventure and sea battle.
The Wiener Konzerthaus, where The World of Hans Zimmer took place, is a standard concert hall. An unusual element is the background monitors that provide visual effects. The audience claps at the end of the compositions and when Hans Zimmer himself participates in the performance. They also get up at the end of the concert. Orchestra performers adhere to a black dress code, namely black shirts, trousers, and dresses. Leading performers like Lisa Gerrard and Marie Spaemann wear unique outfits (TheJadelyah 01:00:00-01:00:02). Performers maintain professional behavior, but sometimes act like casual jazz musicians, for example, during a Sherlock Holmes performance.
Reaction to The World of Hans Zimmer
I like to attend concerts which are movies or video game soundtracks, so I enjoyed The World of Hans Zimmer. For me, being a virtual viewer is equivalent to being a real one. For example, I can repeat my favorite composition in a comfortable environment. However, I understand that the audience had an incredible experience. It is also worth noting that I did not expect Hans Zimmer to participate in the performance personally. The compositions made me feel nostalgic about films from the 00s.
Works Cited
“Hollywood in Vienna 2018 – Hans Zimmer.” SoundTrackFest, Web.
“HOLLYWOOD IN VIENNA 2018 THE WORLD OF HANS ZIMMER 1080p 25fps H264 128kbit AAC.” YouTube, uploaded by TheJadelyah, 2019, Web.