Hans Zimmer and Interstellar
So today, I only have one song for you. But it is an absolutely riveting and amazing one, so bear with me. Today's instrumental song is one that never fails to leave me breathless and completely in awe and transcendence. Hans Zimmer has this innate genius, this intense passion which allows him to compose breathtakingly beautiful and moving scores. This song is one of his most recent compositions, and my goodness it has to be one of my favorites. Interstellar is one of those films where everything was done right. The cast, the cinematography, and yes, the score. But if I were to rank my top ten Hans Zimmer compositions, this would be on that list. Now I am going to do my absolute best in talking about this score, but there are so many moving parts and moments that I simply cannot accurately dissect this composition and give justice to Hans Zimmer's piece.
The song starts out tense and riled with suspense. There is a soft tapping which introduces the song, a consistent heartbeat for the song. It sounds like it could possibly be made with a wooden mallet being tapped against something, but I am not perfectly sure. There is also an echoing sound which starts to come in as well, only adding to the mystery and foreboding nature of the piece. Slowly, the strings of the orchestra come to life, echoing that same tapping sound and rhythm which we are initially introduced to. However, the strings take on multiple notes as the bars continue, creating this lovely layering of sounds so that each note harmonizes with the one pitched above and below. The strings come in very softly and almost menacingly, with short and quiet strokes which build up in strength. All the while, the bass, and contrabass of the entire orchestra has been subtly providing a deep and dark supportive sound. What is interesting, is that we don't really "hear" those deep notes until the softer and lighter notes come through. That stark contrast makes us realize that there has been something else going on in the background of the piece.
When the strings come in, you can also hear that some of the notes are being bowed while the others are being plucked. I thought that was kind of cool because it creates two different textures for the song. There is an added sense of chaos, this nervousness implying that we don't know what is coming next. The next major sound to make its way through the piece is the orchestral organ. This is the trademark instrument for the entire score, the instrument which creates the theme we all recognize as belonging to Interstellar. The orchestral organ is possibly the most important instrument to the entire score, which is such a lovely and unique twist. We start to hear a bit of that original theme crop up, while also hearing the accompanying string melody. These two together make for an emotionally powerful combination. After which we are given a piano to add to the mix. Now the three separate melodies that are played by each instrument group work so well because they are essentially harmonies for the other parts. Now I understand that is the point of a score and composition. Each instrument has the main melody, but each of those melodies acts like a harmony to the all the other melodies. But for this particular piece and score, it is different. Each instrument group has their own sound, their own rhythm, and emotional motif. They have their own intensity and poignancy. And that allows Hans Zimmer to capture a sensation which we can feel in our soul and in our emotions.
Up until the climax of the song, all of the sounds are longer and more drawn out. Those sounds create that suspense and anticipation which comes with the vastness of space. Led by the upper strings, the song starts to speed up for a few bars. Until we are gifted by our first moment of transcendence. An epic release of brass sound. The kind of sound that feels as though we are finally greeted with the sun after a perilous and dark night. However, this isn't the first ecstatic moment in the piece. Heavy and deep drums take charge in the background, creating this sense of time and space and depth. The organ again becomes a focal point, as the strings ramp up and become more involved and more intense. There is a sound which creates an illusion of a clock ticking, adding to the anxiousness.
The piece continues to build and build, adding more layers and melodies and harmonies. Until we make it to the final climax. And those build ups fill the listener with an anxious hope. That way by the time the main crux of the song comes, we are gifted with something that is equivalent to pure transcendence and ecstasy. The energy that is built up until that crucial moment is unbelievable, and when we reach that pivotal moment, it is the most beautiful and breathtaking release. It is as if we are on the moon, running up a huge hill and then are suddenly gifted by a hopeful and epic view from the summit. The entire piece in itself is a gift to the ears, the soul, the heart, and the mind. The complex composition is woven with passion and emotions to where we feel and become part of the emotional roller coaster experienced in the film. I have to say, the use of the orchestral organ is what makes this entire score a work of pure genius and true art. Possibly the obra maestra of Hans Zimmer's work, Interstellar's score is one that leaves us in the highest state of transcendence.
While I have done my best to give justice to this piece, I know words will never be able to capture the majesty and splendor of this score. But I hope that you all can enjoy it and come to understand what I mean. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!
The song starts out tense and riled with suspense. There is a soft tapping which introduces the song, a consistent heartbeat for the song. It sounds like it could possibly be made with a wooden mallet being tapped against something, but I am not perfectly sure. There is also an echoing sound which starts to come in as well, only adding to the mystery and foreboding nature of the piece. Slowly, the strings of the orchestra come to life, echoing that same tapping sound and rhythm which we are initially introduced to. However, the strings take on multiple notes as the bars continue, creating this lovely layering of sounds so that each note harmonizes with the one pitched above and below. The strings come in very softly and almost menacingly, with short and quiet strokes which build up in strength. All the while, the bass, and contrabass of the entire orchestra has been subtly providing a deep and dark supportive sound. What is interesting, is that we don't really "hear" those deep notes until the softer and lighter notes come through. That stark contrast makes us realize that there has been something else going on in the background of the piece.
When the strings come in, you can also hear that some of the notes are being bowed while the others are being plucked. I thought that was kind of cool because it creates two different textures for the song. There is an added sense of chaos, this nervousness implying that we don't know what is coming next. The next major sound to make its way through the piece is the orchestral organ. This is the trademark instrument for the entire score, the instrument which creates the theme we all recognize as belonging to Interstellar. The orchestral organ is possibly the most important instrument to the entire score, which is such a lovely and unique twist. We start to hear a bit of that original theme crop up, while also hearing the accompanying string melody. These two together make for an emotionally powerful combination. After which we are given a piano to add to the mix. Now the three separate melodies that are played by each instrument group work so well because they are essentially harmonies for the other parts. Now I understand that is the point of a score and composition. Each instrument has the main melody, but each of those melodies acts like a harmony to the all the other melodies. But for this particular piece and score, it is different. Each instrument group has their own sound, their own rhythm, and emotional motif. They have their own intensity and poignancy. And that allows Hans Zimmer to capture a sensation which we can feel in our soul and in our emotions.
Up until the climax of the song, all of the sounds are longer and more drawn out. Those sounds create that suspense and anticipation which comes with the vastness of space. Led by the upper strings, the song starts to speed up for a few bars. Until we are gifted by our first moment of transcendence. An epic release of brass sound. The kind of sound that feels as though we are finally greeted with the sun after a perilous and dark night. However, this isn't the first ecstatic moment in the piece. Heavy and deep drums take charge in the background, creating this sense of time and space and depth. The organ again becomes a focal point, as the strings ramp up and become more involved and more intense. There is a sound which creates an illusion of a clock ticking, adding to the anxiousness.
The piece continues to build and build, adding more layers and melodies and harmonies. Until we make it to the final climax. And those build ups fill the listener with an anxious hope. That way by the time the main crux of the song comes, we are gifted with something that is equivalent to pure transcendence and ecstasy. The energy that is built up until that crucial moment is unbelievable, and when we reach that pivotal moment, it is the most beautiful and breathtaking release. It is as if we are on the moon, running up a huge hill and then are suddenly gifted by a hopeful and epic view from the summit. The entire piece in itself is a gift to the ears, the soul, the heart, and the mind. The complex composition is woven with passion and emotions to where we feel and become part of the emotional roller coaster experienced in the film. I have to say, the use of the orchestral organ is what makes this entire score a work of pure genius and true art. Possibly the obra maestra of Hans Zimmer's work, Interstellar's score is one that leaves us in the highest state of transcendence.
While I have done my best to give justice to this piece, I know words will never be able to capture the majesty and splendor of this score. But I hope that you all can enjoy it and come to understand what I mean. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!
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