Hans Zimmer is often associated with loud, bombastic scores, sometimes to the point of parody — or, perhaps, even self-parody, depending on who you ask. But that’s not always true, as pointed out by Dan Golding. There’s been a contemplative, gentler Zimmer seen in recent years, and that’s examined in the video essay, “The Meaning in the Music: Hans Zimmer and Time.”
Focusing on his healthy working relationship with director Christopher Nolan, Golding looks at how their shared common theme of time in their work plays and pulls different musical ideas. This is seen notably in “Inception,” as you can imagine, particularly in how each layer of the dream is reflected with slower, more drawn-out music, which helps to anchor us during the complex journey through multiple inner dimensions along with Edith Piaf’s slowed-down rendition of “Non Je ne Regrette Rien.”
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Time is stretched in the world of “Inception” while in “Interstellar,” that idea is taken even further with music that is unhurriedly unraveled. Meanwhile, Zimmer’s clever approach to melody is also explored, with the composer’s knack for working with the familiar themes, such as in the score for “Man Of Steel,” getting some shine.
The scores might be loud at time, but they’re also very meticulous in their design and dynamics. Check out the video below, and let us know what you think in the comment section.