Hans Zimmer - The Da Vinci Code (14 tracks) +Album Reviews

Ancient tapestry of opulent sounds

- Kasia S. | New York City | 05/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It took me about 2 seconds of thought whether I should buy this CD as I laid my eyes on it. All I can say is that the money I brought with me to get dinner was spent in a better way on music that literally fed the soul better than any food.

I'm a huge soundtrack lover and collector and movie scores are my favorite, especially grand movies that stay in my memory such as costume dramas and period pieces. Within 1 minute of having this music on half the hair on my body was standing pin straight. The choruses are out of this world, giving this a mythical, sacred sound that made me feel as if I was falling into the music itself. Hans Zimmer is a master of creating an environment with his music that envelops the listener and makes the movies on 100% more real than it can be.

The Da Vinci Code soundtrack sounds just the way you would imagine it to; rich, opulent, hypnotic mix of choruses that pick you up from ancient catacombs and shoot you straight up to heaven. Although I loved the score on the first listen, upon hearing it again a few times I felt like it sounded even better as I knew what to expect and learned to relish the glorious sounds and even though I don't read Latin the chapter titles from the back made more sense to me.

This soundtrack was a mix of powerful orchestra music, some lovely violin solos, great chase music and wonderful choral tapestry of sounds. This music is not all heavy and ancient; there are some lovely romantic moments with opreatic arias ("poisoned chalice"), harphs, crying cellos and violas that transported me to a magical valley, with hurling winds and open spaces.

Overall it's a lovely soundtrack and a must have for anyone who enjoys original scores and can be listened to no matter what mood or time of the day because it's beauty stands true regardless of everything else."

Hans Zimmer Provides Subtle Ambience & Increasing Tension In

Kaya Savas | North Hollywood, CA | 05/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a Hans Zimmer fan, I eagerly count the days till the release of a Zimmer score, or any Media Ventures score for that matter. Zimmer's work on The Da Vinci Code reunites him for the second time with director Ron Howard. It strikes me odd that Ron Howard didn't develop a continuing collaboration with Zimmer after Backdraft considering the success of that film. Hans Zimmer is known for establishing great working relationships with directors such as Ridley Scott, John Woo, Antoine Fuqua, Gore Verbinski, and Penny Marshall.

The score is unique and borrows elements from his previous scores to Hannibal, The Ring, and Batman Begins. It's not the bombastic action score we've come to expect from Zimmer, then again this is not a bombastic action movie. Zimmer creates tension with most of the tracks, and he adds a Latin choir to some tracks to set the religious tone of the film. In fact, the British Film censors said that the filmmakers had to tone down Zimmer's score in the film if they wanted to get a 12A rating versus a 15. I've never heard of a film's score affecting the rating of a film. Track 7, "Salvete Virgines", is a perfect example of the choir even though it is not used in the film. Another highlight of the album is track 10, "The Citrine Cross", where we get a little glimpse of trademark Zimmer in probably the most "action" oriented track. The second to last track, "Chevaliers De Sangreal", is my favorite cue on the album. Any Zimmer fan could pick that track out of a lineup and say 'that's Hans Zimmer'. It reminded me of "Journey To The Line" from his score to The Thin Red Line, not in tone but in structure. It builds slowly and continues to build into a full blown beautiful mixture of orchestration and digital synthesization. When I first listened to that track it sent chills down my spine, it did the same thing to me in the film.

Hans Zimmer is my favorite composer of all time, he is truly a gifted artist who continues to be the leader in modern film music composition. Zimmer's first score for 2006 is a beautiful subtle piece of music, and it will please Zimmer fans till we get his score release for Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest in July."

Quite exquisite

John Vevers | Sydney, Australia | 06/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit, I am not a major Hans Zimmer fan but do have a small selection of his scores on cd. However, I can honestly say that Zimmer's score for The Da Vinci Code is, without doubt, one of the best soundtracks avaliable at the moment; if not amongst the best ever written.

His score is simple, quiet and yet, at the same time, stirringly beautiful. I have read reviews on other websites stating that Zimmer has made no effort to create major themes for the different characters; I disagree. Having listened to it many times since I bought it, I believe there are several cues, motiffs etc that represent not only the characters of Sophi, Silas, but also different emotions etc.

The stand out track on this album, in my opinion, is Chevaliers de Sangraal - it is absolutely breathtaking. A simply brilliant piece of music; even before seeing the film, I could picture this music being played as the final resting place of the Holy Grail is located; the timing is correct, the sound is right - it's just perfect for such an event.

If you get one classical, or soundtrack album this year; make it this one."

DaVinci the Soundtrack-A puzzle onto itself

Bennet Pomerantz | Seabrook, Maryland | 05/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music of the film the Da vinci Code is a blend of bells, sounds, pipes, horns and a lushness unheard since Howard Shore did Lord of the Rings soundtrack. Just like the movie and the book, It is a musical puzzle to relish and enjoy

Composer Hans Zimmer has no main theme in Da Vinci, which works for his experiencing and devolping this soundtrack recording into something special. Which each selection is different, you have varies style of renaisaince style music mixed witth Zimmer's lucullan score.

Sometimes mixing a Baroque style with a dark theme music as in L'esprit Des Gabriel (cut two on the CD) is an amazing contrast. There is also the celtic influects throughtout the music, but especially in Rose of Arimathea (cut 11). Also well the Italian richness like the renaissance like in the selection Ad Arcana (cut 5)

on the whole, this CD is an amazing musical piece to savor after the movie is over. I think i will read the book again with this playing in the background

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

"

Zimmer is the Da Vinci of film scoring!

Sam Van Eerden | Mukwonago, WI | 06/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The instant I learned that Hans Zimmer was replacing James Horner to score The Da Vinci Code, the soundtrack became my most-anticipated one of the year. Sure, Superman Returns will be quite the musical spectacle: broad and sweeping, no doubt. But the heroic motifs employed for that score must fit within the musical ideas that moviegoers already associate with the Man-of-Tomorrow (ie: the themes John Williams wrote). Composer Brian Ottman has creative license, obviously, but there's only so much room to move in a project like this. Same with other blockbusters this year, like Pirates 2 and Mission Impossible, for instance. Even the flop Posiedon had a musical niche already carved for it (which Klaus Badelt allowed himself to be "sucked" into). But with the Code, German composer Hans Zimmer (arguably one of the top 3 best soundtrack composers of all time) was able to create an entirely unique sound. He did not have to sound a certain way; HE got to decide how the music SHOULD sound.

And it is a beautiful sound!

The opening cue "Dies Mercurii I Martius" sets the pacing of the entire soundtrack. Heavy on the choir (this particular cut focuses on the female) with a steady underscore of violins (Hugh Marsh handles the electric violin). The soundtrack differs mightily from typical Zimmer fare in that it relies more on subtle harmonies and intricate string compositions than it does on heavy brass and wild synths. Still, this opening track contains the soundtrack's main theme, which is really a theme for the Grail, itself, and this is a powerful theme. While its full glory is never experienced till the second-to-last cut, "Dies Mercurrii" gives the general idea, before tailing off into Silas' motif. The latter is a series of brooding chords which suddenly crescendo into a wild 6-note violin theme used to accentuate the on-screen rites of the albino monk as he tortures himself (in the name of God).

The second track is primarily a mood setting. Strings play steadily throughout, and an 8-note brass motif adds some power. Track 3 opens like the first cue did, slowly building off of intermittant choral bursts until the music launches into Silas' theme. The electric violin here is haunting, and the images of self-flagellation--as Silas beats himself yet again--are intensified by the music.

The fourth cue "Fructus Gravis" is a discovery piece, and certainly one of the CD's highlights. At 2:49 it is the second-shortest on the CD, but I would have appreciated more. Unlike the longest cue "Daniel's 9th Cipher" at 9 1/2 minutes, "Fructus Gravis" is very interesting. It contains a splendid female soloist, and a riveting bit of chase music that gives us the Zimmer brass explosions he's famous for.

At just over six minutes "Ad Arcana" is a delightful piece. Mysterious and full of wonder, the piano variation of the first track's opening motif is a nice touch, and is beautifully enhanced by a harp. A Schindler's List-type violin solo adds a mournful voice, but it is distinctly religious--like the rest, and paints vivid pictures of towering cathedrals and large stain-glass windows.

Tracks 7 and 8 consist mostly of choirs, though the latter cue offers the first re-emergence of the Grail theme since track #1. "Poisoned Chalice" is the next one, though, and it is gorgeous. Religious, to the core, with a soaring female chorus. Half-way through, two female voices pick up the underscoring, and do it beautifully, showing once again, how the human voice is the world's most powerful, emotion-engendering instrument known to humanity!

"The Citrine Cross" contains a "jerky" stop-n-go variation of Silas' theme, as we are treated to its brazen motif for the third time. The choir is also more percussive here than at any other time; roiling with intensity, perhaps echoing the undying, ruthless passion of Silas, the misguided monk. Chimes distort the chorus at times, making for a more "chilling" sound, but it is applicable to the soundtrack.

"Rose of Arimathea" is dominated by the male chorus (a first in this score), and there is a somber bit here that is reminiscent of The Shining's classic horror soundtrack. Again, the religiousity of the movie's musical score is highlighted.

The second to last instrumental cue is entitled "Beneath Alrischa," and it really only serves as a 4 minute, 23 second build up to the last cut "Chevaliers de Sangreal" which is the re-occurence of the "Grail Theme." It is a loud and powerful outburst of brass and violins; an amazing "last hurrah" to a powerful soundtrack.

Filmtracks' review commented that "The best ... moments of awe should be credited to the chorus, which exists in both the higher ethereal female ranges and the deep chanting male depths that resurrect the broad scope of Crimson Tide. Zimmer's thematic development is subtle at every turn."

In the end, I highly recommend this score, especially to the soundtrack purist.

RATING: **** 1/2 (out of 5)"

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