Hans Zimmer on The Silver Screen Soundtrack Hour

Hans Zimmer rocking out on MTV in 1979.

You may know him as the composer for films like Dune, Inception, Gladiator, The Lion King, The Pirates of the Caribbean series, and more. But in the late 1970s Hans Zimmer played keyboards for a variety of new age bands, including the Buggles, best known for Video Killed the Radio Star - the first music video aired on MTV.

Perhaps it was his exposure to the possibilities of electronics, synthesizers, and computers that helped Zimmer develop his distinctive style and sound.

Inception (2010) is one of several of Hans Zimmer’s collaborations with director Christopher Nolan.

Since breaking into the big time with his score for Rain Man (1988), Zimmer has been in the forefront of film composers, frequently collaborating with directors Ridley Scott and Christopher Nolan, and winning an Oscar for his score to the original The Lion King in 1995. This year he’s up for an Oscar for his distinctive score for Dune.

This week’s edition of The Silver Screen Soundtrack Hour samples the works of Hans Zimmer, including cuts from Gladiator, The Dark Knight, Inception, and much more. Please join us!

Produced and hosted by Ken Nail, The Silver Screen Soundtrack Hour airs on Charlottesvilleclassical.org every Thursday at 9 AM and 6 PM, plus Saturdays at Noon. Visit our Facebook page, or contact Ken on Twitter at @ken_classical.