The auditorium of the Ashgabat National Music and Drama Theatre was packed to capacity—as it always is for concerts by Tahir Atayev Orchestra. That evening, the musicians and their audience embarked on a journey around the world through iconic blockbuster films. Their guide was the German composer Hans Zimmer, a two-time Academy Award winner, three-time Golden Globe winner, and four-time Grammy Award winner.
The musical journey began with the energetic score from the sports drama «F1», starring Brad Pitt, featuring driving tracks and an orchestral soundtrack. The live music accompanying clips from the film completely captivated the audience. The British legend from the age of chivalric romances—in which King Arthur united the Britons and the Saxons—formed the basis for the film «King Arthur.» Once again, the hall fell silent to Hans Zimmer’s music as swords were drawn, riders galloped forward, and banners fluttered in the wind.
The Italian film «Gladiator» can be described as a hymn to courage. It tells a story of honor and betrayal, of the struggle for dignity, and of fidelity to one’s principles. The audience’s emotions were heightened by Hans Zimmer’s poignant music—at times tragic, at others uplifting.
The audience visited different corners of the Earth and different historical eras, becoming acquainted with extraordinary stories united by courage and fearlessness, high moral principles, and the pursuit of one’s goal. Then, together with the characters of «Dune,» they travelled into space—to an imagined alien planet. To immerse the audience in the atmosphere of a world unknown to us, new sounds were needed. Tylla Saryyeva recreated such a vocal composition.
The evening’s program featured soundtracks from «Kung Fu Panda,» «The Rock,» «Pearl Harbor,» «Sherlock Holmes,» «The Last Samurai», «Pirates of the Caribbean,» and other films. To conclude the concert, Tahir Atayev introduced his favourite animated film, «The Lion King,» expressing hope that there would be many admirers of this wonderful film in the hall. Together with the screen’s characters, the audience entered the jungle for the birth of a lion cub into the royal family. A difficult fate awaited him, but he would overcome all of life’s trials and restore justice to the rule of the jungle. In the soundtrack to this animated film, the orchestra’s live performance was enhanced by the choir conducted by Arslan Ovezniyazov.
The applause, flowers, and the magical words «Thank you!» echoing from the hall testified to the impression that Hans Zimmer’s film music had made on the audience.
