The World of Hans Zimmer at the O2 Arena

Imagine a film without music; soundtracks and scores form such an essential part of our viewing experience, establishing and embellishing atmosphere, injecting suspense and punctuating emotive moments. While we often appreciate what we are hearing on screen, it is all too easy to ignore who is behind it, save for when the sound and style are so identifiable that we can immediately pinpoint its composer. Hans Zimmer stands out alongside such other heavyweights as John Williams for imprinting his own unique mark on the world of film. At the forefront for decades, the German composer attained note with 1988’s Rain Man and most recently scored Dune: Part Two, having picked up an Oscar for his work on the first film.

Zimmer’s other Academy Award was back in 1994 for The Lion King. In between he has worked on a vast array of blockbusters, From his frequent collaborations with Christopher Nolan on such pictures as Inception, Interstellar, Dunkirk and The Dark Knight trilogy, to Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes, the Pirates of the Caribbean series and composing the theme tune to Netflix hit The Crown, Zimmer has been and remains a constant presence. If he’s not living up to his rock star status performing live shows – he actually proposed to his partner on this very stage, just last year – he’s already working on his next film project. This is a musical heavyweight still very much in demand and still, unquestionably, on top of his game.

While the revered composer is not due to perform at a sold-out O2 arena this evening, we can rest assured that he has carefully curated a night to please long-time listeners and those new to experiencing his work live. We are also in the safe hands of Zimmer’s trusted friend, Gavin Greenaway, who conducts. Greenaway banters with Zimmer, who appears on screen in a series of snippets to introduce certain pieces of music. While a tad corny at times, we are offered interesting anecdotes and some humorous exchanges. Greenaway has an effortless rapport with Zimmer and with the sea of musicians who fill the large stage. He gets straight down to business leading the orchestra with Man of Steel Suite: Part 1, which gradually builds towards an epic crescendo, thus setting the tone for the show.

It is followed by the gentle and uplifting Driving (Miss Daisy), with footage from the film on screen to complement the music. We then return to the more imposing with The Rock and Pearl Harbour, with the latter being a particularly emotive piece. One cannot help but be drawn into another world by the almost haunting vocals. The tempo is then increased once again as we move to The Dark Knight, followed by music from the most recent Bond outing, No Time to Die.

The incomparable Lisa Gerrard then takes us through Gladiator Suite – her vocals mesmerising and impactful. She is accompanied by Soprano Gan-ya Ben-gur Akselrod, who later sings The Prince of Egypt. The level of talent on show is astounding, with multi woodwinds soloist Pedro Eustache, guitarist Alexios Anest, cellist Mariko Muranaka and solo violinist Rusanda Panfili all being of note. Interstellar Suite rounds off the first half of the evening, proving Zimmer’s marriage of electronic music and orchestra to be a winning match, particularly when it comes to sci-fi epics.

Following an intermission, we are taken through Wonder Woman Suite and Kung Fu Panda. Ritchie then joins Zimmer on screen to discuss Sherlock Holmes and the sound they were both going for and how they came to achieve it. Discombobulate from the film is a sure-fire highlight of the night. A dramatic shift in sound from the bustle and busyness of the aforementioned to the serenity of A Time of Quiet Between the Storms from Dune: Part 2 again demonstrates Zimmer’s remarkable versatility.

Lebo M is warmly welcomed on stage and fellow vocalist Nokukhanya Dlamini raises the roof during the crowd-pleasing The Lion King Suite, which instantly pulls many millennials back to their childhoods. This simply beautiful and undeniably moving music, which Zimmer explains serves as a requiem for his late father, has the audience on their feet breaking into rapturous applause.  It makes for another outstanding part of an already impressive evening before the piano of Time from Inception calls for a reflective pause. As the song slowly builds and the sound of an electric guitar gradually comes to the fore, there are audible gasps when we see it is Zimmer himself playing. This unannounced and unexpected appearance of course delights and it is a real pleasure to see the composer thanking his many musicians and vocalists individually as well as his audience. We are treated to an energetic encore of Pirates of the Caribbean Suite to close a magical and memorable celebration of Zimmer but also music and the power it holds, the skill and talent it requires and the exclusive emotion only it can conjure. A world-class show.

Jonathan Marshall
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit The World of Hans Zimmer’s website here.

Watch the video for Time here: