The word "epic" is often abused, but Sunday night at the Bell Center was the appropriate term to describe the show of prodigy Hans Zimmer.
Beginning at 19:45 typing, the ambient music that reigned for several minutes in the room intensified, the lights went out and Hans Zimmer came on stage, welcomed as a true hero. He started with some notes on the piano, alone, then his musicians are mounted one by one on the boards. The curtain rose to reveal in a thunder of cheers a whole row of musicians. Zimmer probably has the sense of the show.
The band began another cleverly constructed play before culminating on a second curtain, revealing an extra row of strings and winds, and a well-aligned choir, all topped by a huge half-moon screen . How do you describe that, a crowd that can not stop raving?
The table was set so for an epic evening. The German composer took the microphone to greet the crowd at an enthusiastic "Goodnight Montreal" and then presented the Crimson Tide segment , which put forward Zimmer's long-time friend and especially the huge fan. CH, the Canadian Satnam Ramgotra on the drums. His solo was impressive, and the instrument sounded particularly good (surprising in the amphitheater!). Everything went on with Gladiator's awaited medley with singer Czarina Russell and a piece from The Da Vinci Code . It was also interesting to hear him share his creative process for the Sangreal Knights piece ,relying on the contrast between classical and modernity inspired by the Louvre pyramid.
Then, the moment the two happiest medleys of the evening followed, those of King Lion and Pirates of the Caribbean . Zimmer had invited Lebo M., a South African singer for the first, whom he described as the "real" lion king. There is this beautiful humility, this generosity that must be given to Zimmer. He takes the time, between each segment, not only to present the music that is coming, but especially his musicians. He praises them, thanks them and tells their story, which gives rise to touching moments.
It was precisely Tina Guo who had her moment of glory during the medley of Pirates of the Caribbean , this fiery cellist whose reputation is second to none.
After the intermission, Zimmer became more discreet in her interventions, chaining the blocks and leaving the music speak for itself. The second part was also darker, "sad" to paraphrase the composer, but no less fascinating. We then immersed ourselves in the tormented universe of superheroes, focusing on the trilogy of The Dark Knight, during which he paid tribute to Heath Ledger and the victims of the attack of Aurora.
The show ended on a more spatial note, with the interstellar segment, the backstage lined with stars adorned with a huge virtual organ. It was pompous at will, in the good sense of the word. Obviously, the band came back on stage for a reminder with a beautiful medley of the most beautiful songs of Inception.
We had a very generous song schedule for a total of three hours (including intermission). All in a grandiose visual envelope and in a spirit of honest camaraderie. It was high time that Zimmer left on the road, conquering the planet and plunges us back into his mesmerizing film worlds.
Article by Marie-Kim Dupuis Brault