GHENT (9 May 2001) Hans Zimmer Live In Concert, the spectacular live event that was recorded last October at the Flanders International Film Festival - Ghent, is now being released worldwide as ‘The Wings of a Film – The Music of Hans Zimmer’. This on Decca (467 7492). Featuring some of Hollywood’s best-loved movie themes, the music is brought to life with the help of some of the composer’s favorite collaborators including singers/composers Lisa Gerrard (Gladiator), Lebo M (The Lion King) as well as guitarists Pete Haycock (Thelma & Louise) and Heitor Pereira (Gladiator). This along with the internationally acclaimed Flemish Radio Orchestra and conductor Dirk Brossé.
Hans Zimmer has long been recognized as one of Hollywood’s most innovative musical talents. He has composed some of the screen’s most memorable and enduring film music, including The Lion King which earned an Academy Award ® for Best Original Score along with a Golden Globe, an American Music Award, a Tony ® Award and two Grammy ® Awards in 1994. Last year, Zimmer wrote the powerful score to Gladiator which went on to win the Academy Award ® for Best Picture. This year, he has written the music to Hannibal and the highly anticipated Pearl Harbor (to be released in the US May 25).
A pioneer in the use of digital synthesizers, electronic keyboards and the latest computer technology, Zimmer is considered the father of integrating the digital music world with that of traditional orchestral arrangements. Born in Germany and educated in the UK, his success came first in the world of pop music as a member of the Buggles. The group’s 1980 single Video Killed the Radio Star became a worldwide hit and was the first music video to be aired on MTV. In 1988, Zimmer composed the music to Rain Man, which went on to win the Academy Award ® for Best Picture and brought him his first Oscar ® nomination for Best Original Score. The next year, he composed the score to another Best Picture recipient, Driving Miss Daisy, which earned him his second Oscar ® nomination in as many years.
Last year’s Flanders International Film Festival – Ghent marked the very first time for Hans Zimmer to perform his music live with a symphony orchestra before a large audience.
The festival is Belgium’s most prominent annual film event and is regarded as one of the best organized fests of its kind in Europe. Over the years, the festival has also built up a strong reputation as the world’s very first FIAPF-recognized competitive film event that celebrates music and its impact on film.
Besides an international competition on the ‘Impact of Music on Film’, Ghent is also known for its high-profile film music concerts and screenings of silent classics with live music. Besides Zimmer, other renowned composers like Ennio Morricone, Elliot Goldenthal, Elmer Bernstein, Stephen Warbeck, Jean-Claude Petit, Dirk Brossé and the late Georges Delerue also came to Ghent to present their finest scores live. Together with colleagues, music producers and record executives they also regularly participate in film music seminars and workshops on various topics such as the creative partnership between composer and director, sound design, legal aspects, etc.