‘Hans Zimmer Live on Tour’ Hong Kong concert review: the maestro behind the music of ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Inception’ slays on stage
Widely regarded as one of the most successful film score composers of all time, his tour de force performance included excerpts from The Dark Knight trilogy and Pirates of the Caribbean
Legendary film score composer Hans Zimmer brought his live show to Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre yesterday night, and his performance certainly did not disappoint.
The man behind the musical accompaniment to some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters such as The Lion King and Inception, redefined cinematic music by integrating synth sounds with orchestral music and is widely regarded as one of the best cinematic composers ever.
But who knew he was also capable of delivering one of the best live shows out there?
Backed up by the Hong Kong Philharmonic orchestra, a full choir, and his personal band, Zimmer and his team not only delivered studio-quality music, but also one of the most mesmerising and awe-inspiring live shows ever produced.
Multiple pieces of music from the same film were sometimes merged into a single medley, and the experience was like none other. It became a form of storytelling and enabled the audience to explore the arc of each film, and relive the best moments again.
The Oscar winner also sometimes deconstructed some of his most iconic work into individual parts, and audience members could experience the epic moments of some of the greatest films of all time.
While Zimmer was undoubtedly the mastermind behind the whole show and the music, what made it a night to remember was also how talented each individual performer was. All the musicians in his live band were at the top of their games, and many were able to play multiple instruments at an elite level.
Take Shanghai-born Chinese-American cellist Tina Guo as an example. Her sleek, matte-white electric cello almost became an extension of her body, and each note during her Pirates of the Caribbean solo was emotionally charged and played with passion and power.
Guitarist extraordinaire Guthrie Govan, who according to Zimmer has never played the same solo twice during their 100-show run, blew everyone away with his amazing riffs and superhuman picking skills. Last but certainly not least, Lebo M, who sang the opening Zulu vocals in the original Lion King soundtrack, lit the venue on fire with his penetrating voice.
And the man of the hour, Hans Zimmer, was in a class of his own. The 62-year-old, who had a boyish grin on his face throughout the night, shared anecdotes and provided context for each film.
His dialogue gave us a peek into the origins of his iconic scores and how they came to be. He shared an intimate moment with the audience in a fully-packed 3200-seat venue, as he talked about how he and his team regrouped and recovered from the tragic and untimely death of actor Heath Ledger, before playing the somber notes of The Dark Knight trilogy.
The multi-sensory experience was further enhanced by impeccable lighting - each burst of light was perfectly in sync with the music and helped set the mood for each segment. If this show is heading to your city, rush out now to pick up tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.