Director Denis Villeneuve’s take on Frank Herbert’s hit dystopian sci-fi fantasy has garnered a legion of fans thanks to its epic beauty. The stunning visuals are accompanied by an original score by BAFTA-winning composer Hans Zimmer, and it’s a match made in the stars.
dune is the perfect canvas for Hans Zimmer, who is no stranger to composing high-quality sci-fi films and is one of best film composers of all time. Interstellar is one of the best Hans Zimmer film scores, showcasing the composer’s prowess in evocative and atmospheric music. It’s a shame he didn’t win a Oscar for his efforts, but there is hope for dunewho also received a Oscar nomination for Best Original Score this year.
Is dune a better score than Interstellar?
It’s hard to say, but with this new score, Zimmer may be going a little further. While it retains the kind of enveloping soundscape that captivated audiences (and listeners) so much in the other score, there is an intoxicating energy in its music for dune which makes it more urgent and emotional.
What does Dune look like?
Everything but the kitchen sink is thrown into the mix, as Zimmer brings together orchestral forces, a choir, percussion, guitars, and the kind of atmospheric sound design we’ve come to expect from Zimmer (and modern film music in general). As InterstellarZimmer uses the sound of an organ, though it’s by no means the star of the show here.
The people and planet of Arrakis are painted with austere and beautiful music, similar to some of Zimmer’s works in Gladiator – notable here is the use of the Duduk (a two-reed Armenian wind instrument), which featured prominently in this 2000 epic “sword and sandals”. Elsewhere there’s a more industrial quality, with layer upon layer of ultra-contemporary sounds and textures. The guitar pattern used isn’t too far off from Zimmer’s powerful sound for the recent wonder woman continued.
Is the new music very different from the 1984 movie Dune?
Although there is an element of rock in some aspects of Zimmer’s music, it is a far cry from that written by American rock band Toto for the original 1984 film adaptation of the story. Its main theme, known as “Prophecy Theme”, was actually composed by Brian and Roger Eno, and it really is the best there is. Toto’s own music actually works quite well in the film, but it sounds quite dated today with its keyboards, synths, guitars and kit percussion (check out ‘Desert Theme’ for example).
Is Hans Zimmer’s music for Dune available for purchase?
Hans Zimmer’s music for dune was released on not one but three albums, all available for streaming and download. They are available on CD-R, which means they are essentially made to order (ie the label, WaterTower Music, did not produce a series of CDs). the Original movie soundtrack features selections of the music heard in the film, while The dune sketchbook features Zimmer’s original sketches and music from the film, as a soundscape chart. The art and soul of Duneis all the more curious that it offers music to accompany the book of the same name, Zimmer offering an even more dreamlike collection of pieces.
Dune – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
The dune sketchbook
Dune (1984) – Original Soundtrack Recording (Vinyl)
Dune (2021) – DVD
Dune (1984) – DVD
