Interstellar - How Hans Zimmer Creates the Sound of Space

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Published 2020-05-15

Hans Zimmer’s score for Interstellar dispensed of a lot of the musical language that had been so commonplace in his scores before this film. Driven by the desire to create a sound-world that he, and director Christopher Nolan, hadn't yet explored, Zimmer created music full of soft, introspective sounds: sustained organ melodies and chords, hushed orchestral textures and transparent, widely-spaced harmony. In this essay, I look at how this sound-world perfectly captures the isolation and loneliness of space, but I also consider, more significantly, how Hans Zimmer’s music realises the emotional message that is at the heart of the film.

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FURTHER WATCHING
Hans Zimmer - making of INTERSTELLAR Soundtrack: • Hans Zimmer - making of INTERSTELLAR ...
DP/30: Interstellar, Hans Zimmer: • DP/30: Interstellar, Hans Zimmer

FURTHER READING/RESEARCH
Interstellar de Hans Zimmer : plongée musicale au cœur des drames humains, par-delà l’infiniment grand. Pour une autre approche de l’esthétique zimmerienne: www.researchgate.net/publication/329639214_Interst…

#Interstellar #HansZimmer

All Comments (21)

@SteffenThole 3 years ago

I nearly cried in the end. Amazing work. Christopher Nolan and Hans Zimmer as well as, of course, you yourself.
@IconicNameTV 3 years ago

HOW IS THIS LAD SO UNDERRATED?
@superrswalkthrougn 2 years ago

6:20 This is why I want to experience this movie in imax again. That whole Cooper driving away and taking off with all the beautiful and extremely loud orchestra giving way to absolute silence was actually deafening in the theatre. It simultaneously made me immersed but also extremely aware that there suddenly was silence. Idk how to describe that experience, but I want to feel that again.
@InsidetheScore 3 years ago

This has quickly become one of my favourite music channels on YouTube. Everything I've seen on your channel is of an outstanding quality, well researched/thought out, and beautifully edited. You deserve a big audience
@justinshriramkeeling609 1 year ago

14:40 “Vast, major chords underneath a soaring melody. Like the death of a star. Final, and glorious.” Wow. This unexpected cue is my favourite in the film. Thank you for calling it out, and especially for letting it play out without talking over it. You get it brother.
@NuSpirit_ 3 years ago

10:32 damn Hans Zimmer did brilliant job - just hearing the song and my eyes are getting wet remembering all the emotions I felt during the movie. Just brilliant and simple.
@Crazy_Diamond_75 2 years ago

I cannot listen to the docking sequence music without my stomach clenching. That is one of the most stressful, high-stakes sequences ever put to film in my opinion. Edit: Your videos are amazing. You're basically the music equivalent of LSOO. Both of your channels consistently move me. Sometimes to tears.
@hondansx1000 2 years ago

I feel sorry for the poor people who didn't get to see this in the Cinema...that Zimmer score, with the full surround sounds was an outer world experience. The docking sequence was easily the highlight of that score imo
@justsomeguy583 3 years ago

This is so incredibly well made. Interstellar has one of the most beautiful scores of all time, and the way you guided me through it was probably the closest I’ll ever get to listening to it for the first time again. Your analysis manages to parallel the beauty of this music, with your careful narration and vivid descriptions. I am in awe. Thank you so much.
@DanHughes0 3 years ago

That edit into Murph's room at the start made me gasp a lil bit. Great video
@mosstet 3 years ago

I've never gotten shivers from a video essay before.
@tobiasgreeeen 3 years ago

Boy have I been waiting for this since you responded to me saying that I wouldn't have to wait so long. These 6 days have felt like forever. Thank you.
@furyxvanity2946 2 years ago

Interstellar will be my favourite movie till I die, nothing can ever be greater then interstellar and beat its music and the emotions it brings.
@adampayton4695 3 years ago

Every time you post I grow an immense respect for the music you talk about. I will never watch the movie the same. Thank you for being so enlightening!
@pratik3563 3 years ago

This soundtrack makes the film a whole. Makes me feel a longing. Longing for exploration. Not as individual but as a species. For all mankind. Thank you for fantastic analysis.
@hiikarinnn 2 years ago

I love how haunting the “unknown” theme is.
@JoshuaKallenberg 3 years ago

I'm generally not a massive fan of Zimmer (although I definitely respect him), but I LOVE his Interstellar score. It's absolutely perfect for the film. Thank you for this! Can't wait to watch this.
@theankotze1292 3 years ago

This music evokes feelings of awe and majesty in me I have only felt in LOTR and SW
@Edunomat 3 years ago

Marvelous analysis for a marvelous movie! You're fantastic!
@bobh5087 2 years ago

This was truly wonderful. And, as an organist, I was thrilled when I first saw/heard this monumental film, and its breath-taking organ score in a theater with all those big, wonderful speakers rumbling... almost overwhelming in its emotional impact. INTERSTELLAR is certainly one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made. And a huge part of its success is due to the flawless Zimmer score. Thank you for presenting this.