HANZ ZIMMER // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW
HANS ZIMMER LIVE IN CONCERT AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
★★★★★ (5/5)
HANS ZIMMER LIVE IN CONCERT
PHOTOCREDIT: DITA VOLLMOND
“The World of Hans Zimmer” is an immersive experience, showcasing the genius of one of the most iconic composers of our time. This year, Hans Zimmer has chosen his wide collection of scores to create a performance titled - A New Dimension. The tour has already sold out multiple venues around Europe and will have gone on for nine months by the time it wraps up in December.
Hans Zimmer is a world-renowned German composer and producer, widely celebrated for his legendary film scores. Born in 1957, Zimmer has composed music for over 150 films, spanning multiple genres and earning numerous awards and accolades, including Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and Grammys. His work encompasses films for all generations and his innovative approach has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema and music.
With the success of the previous tour, tickets for Zimmer’s current arrangement have seen huge sales. For the Scottish night, the wind hurtled around Glasgow’s OVO Hydro and brought in the diverse audience of young adults beside those in their second prime. With kick off sharply at 8pm and anticipation in the air, the crowd settled in and wondered what to expect.
The set is compiled of two acts featuring twenty displays of musical wonder complete with a large screen showing the accompanying films. Recorded footage of Hans Zimmer punctuates the numbers. These videos show Zimmer chatting about his process as well as him in conversation some of famous friends including Jerry Bruckheimer and Guy Richie.
Conductor Gavin Greenway is incredible. Really, truly, every musician on stage is incredible and plays an integral part in what has been created. Together, they move in perfect unity and every link in the chain both connects and extends fluently and succinctly. Greenway stands at the helm of the ship and appears a kind and appreciated figure that everyone looks to. He opened the night with a joke about Glasgow being the first place in tour that he really knows the language and instantly the venue appeared to relax.
Initially the night builds from the light-hearted Driving Miss Daisy, to thunderous music of The Rock and Pearl Harbour. All the eeriness and drama of The Dark Night and James Bond’s No Time to Die builds up to the peak of the epic scores of Gladiators where the stage saw a literal fire ignite around the orchestra. The furious piece is followed by the sensational work from Interstellar which sends off act one in transcending high.
Things move to a more playful tone in the second section of night. The inquisitive Sherlock Homes and Kung Fu Panda performance are bright and filled with character. Multi woodwinds soloist, Pedro Eustache comes into his own after already impressing earlier. His exquisite expertise seems unmatched as her effortless transitions between instruments with flare and glory. Eustache creates magic with the beautiful vocalists Gan-ya Ben-gur Akselrod and Lisa Gerrard during the music from just released Dune 2 and the classic and poignant cartoon The Prince of Egypt.
Glasgow is lucky enough to be one of 13 cities to see the orchestra joined by the wonderful Nairobi Chamber Chorus. They appear throughout though come together with singers Lebo M and Nokukhanya Dlamini for a standout performance of numbers from The Lion King. Finishing everything off with the uplifting heroics of Pirates of the Caribbean and a short but sweet word from Greenway who made powerful point on the value of musical education, as the entire night did, the arena had been completely enthralled.
From the moment the music began, the arena was transported into a realm where emotions are stirred and memories are made. Zimmer’s mastery of blending orchestral grandeur with modern electronic elements created a sonic landscape that captivates and enchants. Each piece displays the power of the story from which it came from and with every triumphant crescendo and each haunting melody the viewed is reminded why music matters so much. The concert was not just a performance; it was a journey through the diverse realms of Zimmer’s musical imagination and look to the future of possibilities. The night was an experience that will resonate with attendees long after final note faded away.