Timeless works by film score maestro Hans Zimmer from over 15 blockbusters, including Interstellar, Inception, The Dark Knight, Pearl Harbor, The Last Samurai, and Dune, were showcased at the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Labor Cultural Palace on the evening of 11/8. For over two hours, 40 orchestral artists transported the audience back to the raw emotions of these films, allowing them to escape daily life and immerse themselves in art.

The concert opened with music from The Little Prince, taking the audience on a journey back to childhood. The world of animated film scores was further explored with Kungfu Panda and The Lion King. Conductor Marc Ramirez shared that to refresh these familiar pieces, the orchestra emphasized improvisation and individual expression. He believes that "artists are not robots," and balance and harmony are relative concepts. Therefore, he encouraged each musician's "distinct playing style" to offer the audience a "groundbreaking and adventurous" experience.

The program then continued with music from science fiction films like Interstellar and Inception. This transition symbolized the journey of personal growth, from naive beginnings to a deeper understanding of life through emotions and experiences such as longing for family, love, and confronting the line between life and death. Minh Anh, 25, shared her anticipation and deep impression of Interstellar, stating, "The orchestra helped me relive the emotions as if I were watching my favorite film for the first time."

The orchestra performing in "Alive Again: Music from Hans Zimmer". Photo: Khanh Linh

After each piece, the audience erupted in applause. With No Time to Die, the theater filled with cheers. The conductor and musicians bowed to acknowledge the audience's appreciation.

According to the organizers, Hans Zimmer, abbreviated as HZ, can be seen as a sound frequency, implying the evocation of vibrations and emotional resonance within the audience. This is also the orchestra's aim. Artist Do Phuong Nhi, dubbed a "musical prodigy" since starting to play the violin at the age of 4, shared that the orchestra dedicated time to refining each sound and nuance, discussing even the smallest details. She noted, "Although Hans Zimmer's works have many recurring motifs, he still finds a way to 'sign' his music with unique characteristics."

Conductor Marc Ramirez, who has led orchestras in numerous countries with sold-out performances at venues like Carnegie Hall (USA), The Proms (UK), and Cite de la Musique (France), observed that the Vietnamese audience is youthful and open to the arts. He commented, "This is not something you find in every audience. Vietnam has its own unique charm, making me always look forward to its next steps in development."

The audience responds, thanking the artists with applause. Photo: Khanh Linh

The concert concluded with a heartwarming moment as the audience and conductor joined in singing Frank Sinatra's "My Way." The atmosphere became intimate and interactive. This performance was not just a farewell but also a message encouraging everyone to bravely chart their own course – to "do it their way."

The Alive Again: Music from Hans Zimmer concert took place over four nights, 10/8 and 11/8 (Hanoi), and 24/8 and 25/8 (Ho Chi Minh City), organized by 8 The Theatre and the CAM Philharmonic orchestra. This project was initiated by a group of young people in their 20s with the desire to bring classical music closer to Vietnamese audiences, especially the younger generation. Since 2021, CAM has organized numerous symphonic concerts featuring independent artists like Hoang Dung, Chillies, Duy Manh, and Thinh Suy. In 2024, the project's Rock Symphony program recreated 22 rock anthems from legendary bands such as The Beatles, Queen, Linkin Park, and My Chemical Romance.

Hans Zimmer, 67, is a renowned German film composer who has left his mark on over 150 Hollywood films. He has won two Oscars, four Grammys, and three Golden Globes, and is recognized for shaping modern film music from the 1990s to the present.

Khanh Linh