Welcome to Feature Fridays! In this series, AU Music Library staff highlight items from our collection. This week, Music Library Student Assistant Anish Kubal discusses Interstellar, a film soundtrack by Hans Zimmer.

Interstellar is a science fiction movie based in the distant future where Earth suffers a horrific dust bowl and humankind is forced to search for other habitable plants to call home. The music in the film was composed by world famous composer Hans Zimmer. Zimmer has created other notable soundtracks for the movie industry, including the Pirates of the Caribbean series and Broken Arrow. Zimmer composed the music to appeal to human emotions with large buildups and powerful chords, only to end on a cliff hanger with a forte piano. The music symbolizes how the astronauts leave their families and the uncertainty of meeting their families again. Additionally, the CD cover has fantastic artwork of a spaceship flying through a wormhole, and the tray for the disc has a map of all the astrological star constellations.

All the pieces on the soundtrack are spectacular, especially “Day One” as one of the most expressive pieces. Despite the movie taking place in the distant future, Hans Zimmer elected to use more traditional instruments to create this piece. For example, a pipe organ was used to create dramatic chords, and a flute using vibrato creates a sound like fluttering wings. Together, the collection of these instruments creates a feeling for the listener as if they are flying at astronomical speeds.

Interstellar is an inspirational story told beautifully by the motion picture and the soundtrack. Listening to the album while under the stars and in the warm weather is truly a phenomenal experience. However, it is highly recommended to watch the movie before listening the soundtrack. The Interstellar CD is available in the American University Music Library. We also have other exceptional soundtracks by Hans Zimmer including Broken Arrow’s soundtrack.