Tag Archives: Hans Zimmer

Arachnophonia: The Lion King

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.

All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student assistant Isaac (class of 2025) and features piano/vocal selections from The Lion King. Thanks, Isaac!

The Lion King

The Lion King piano/vocal selections

The score from The Lion King by Elton John, with lyrics by Tim Rice, has long fascinated me, compelling me to explore its depths beyond the surface level of its widespread appeal and just songs I’ve heard since I was little. As someone who has always enjoyed children’s movie scores, I find this score to be a particularly striking example of how melodies intertwined with poignant lyrics can create a tapestry of sound that is both enchanting and something that was stuck with me for quite some time––even as I’ve gotten older.

What makes this score particularly interesting and worth studying is not just its ability to support the narrative arc of an iconic film but how it seamlessly blends a variety of musical styles and cultural influences, creating a universal appeal that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. Elton John’s compositions, infused with his signature melodic flair, are elevated by Tim Rice’s evocative lyrics, which together capture the essence of the story’s themes—power, betrayal, love, and redemption. The integration of African musical elements with Western pop sensibilities in the soundtrack offers a fascinating study in cross-cultural musical fusion, showcasing the richness that such blends can bring to mainstream music, and I really do think its aurally emblematic of everything Disney had hoped to achieve with the project.

Parsons Playlists: Movie Music

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student assistant Naron (class of 2023) and features music from assorted movie soundtracks.

Movie Music

Some movie soundtracks have left a deep impression on me with their impressive music. The music in movies is usually carefully crafted by artists to match the main theme. The music often sounds even more powerful, carrying the memory of the story in the movie. Here is a short list of music from popular movies that left an impression on me:

movie music

Nick Laird-Clowes – “About Time Theme” (from About Time – 2013)

Lana Del Ray – “Young And Beautiful” (from The Great Gatsby – 2013)

Alan Silvestri – “Feather Theme” (from Forrest Gump – 1994)

John Williams – “Theme from Jurassic Park” (from Jurassic Park – 1993)

Hans Zimmer – “Why So Serious” (from The Dark Knight – 2008)

Ennio Morricone – “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (Main Title)” (from The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly – 1966)

Klaus Badelt – “He’s A Pirate” (from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – 2003)

Lin-Manuel Miranda – “You’re Welcome” (sung by Dwayne Johnson in Moana – 2016)

Joe Hisaishi – “The Name of Life” (from Spirited Away – 2001)

Maurice Jarre – “Carpe Diem” (from Dead Poets Society – 1989)

Here is a link to a version of this playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU94rco57ZewCfuxxV4Gk3YIhi4ez0R4E

And here it is on Spotify:

Parsons Playlists: Classical Singing Crossover

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Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today we feature a collection of songs with a bit of new perspective on classical singing curated by student assistant Wonyoung (class of 2024).

Classical Singing Crossover

When we think of “Classical Singing” and “Opera”, it may be hard to approach because it may seem dry and far from modern day music. However, it does not always have to be so. Here is a playlist of Classical Singing Crossover into a more modern day style. It is on the upcoming in South Korea so here is a playlist that brings a new perspective.

Music notation design

“O Isis und Osiris” from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (ft. Franz Josef Selig, Bass)

“Nessun dorma” from Puccinis’s Turandot (ft. Yonghoon Lee, Tenor)

“Erlkönig” D. 328 by Franz Schubert (ft. Byeong-Min Gil, Bass-Baritone)

“Il Mondo” by Carlo Pes et al (ft. You Chae Hoon, Tenor)

“Starai con me” by Ornella D’Urbano (ft. You Chae Hoon, Tenor)

“E lucevan le stelle” from Puccini’s Tosca (ft. Minseok Kim, Tenor)

“La calunnia é un venticello” from Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia (ft. Jun In-Ho, Bass)

“Libera” by Renato Zero (ft. Ku Bon Su & Park Ki Hun)

“Nelle tue Mani” (“Now We Are Free” from Gladiator) by Hans Zimmer et al (ft. Choi Sung Hoon, Jeong Min Seong, Park Ki Hun, & You Chae Hoon)

“La tua semplicità” by Jeff Franzel (ft. An Dong Young, Kim Sung-sik, Minseok Kim, & Park Hyun Soo)

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHE2uJabYdvZFXr3Q_OecuKYySaRhBwI8


 

Arachnophonia: “Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard’s The Dark Knight: A Film Score Guide”

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Editor’s note: Arachnophonia is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about items in the Parsons Music Library‘s collection. All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.

Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by Music Library student worker, Abby (class of 2021) and features an analysis of the score from the 2008 film The Dark Knight. Thanks, Abby!

Han Zimmer and James Newton Howard’s The Dark Knight : A Film Score Guide by Vasco Hexel

Are you a fan of Batman? Do you love learning about how movie soundtracks impact movies, even having the power to completely change emotion and perception? Or maybe you’re taking a music theory class and want to read something that won’t put you to sleep on the first page? Then this, my friend, is the book for you: Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard’s The Dark Knight: A Film Score Guide by Vasco Hexel. It’s a long title but hear me out. This book tracks Zimmer’s process in the making of The Dark Night film score, as the name suggests. But not only that, it provides in depth analysis of the characters Batman and the Joker, describing how the music was designed to reflect the psychology of each character.

For mega-fans and theorists, it’s a musical, analytical wonderland. And for those who need help in figuring out how to make a Grammy award-winning soundtrack, or who just need a break from Beethoven, this is the place to start!