Hans Zimmer v The Holst estate
Posted by: Wiltshireman on 26 August 2006
I have just found out that the Gustav Holst estate is to sue Hans Zimmer for his composition, or at least in part, of his Gladiator film score. Apparently they consider it a blatant copy of the Mars movement in the Holst Planet suite. What rubbish as the Mars movement is nothing like Gladiator though I will agree that they impart a similar mood to the listener but that is about all they have in common. The movement in question is in 3 / 4 and Mars is in 5 / 4 so just what is the problem?
Since when does anyone own a rhythm? Does this mean that all but a Strauss waltz or a Sousa march are no longer allowed? If the court finds in favour of the Holst estate does this mean a possible end to any new compositions? A few years ago Tomita had problems with his performance of the Planets when the Holst estate claimed his was an arrangement and not a performance. I was lucky to find a copy to buy only a day or so before the albums were withdrawn from sale and it was many years later that it was eventually released. I always enjoyed Tomita’s version for what it was – an electronic performance and never agreed with the Holst people and do not now. Did not Enya peform a version of a Holst composition (sorry but I cannot remember what the song was)and was this not an arrangement? I hope that Zimmer wins the day for if not then our world of music will be a poorer place.
Since when does anyone own a rhythm? Does this mean that all but a Strauss waltz or a Sousa march are no longer allowed? If the court finds in favour of the Holst estate does this mean a possible end to any new compositions? A few years ago Tomita had problems with his performance of the Planets when the Holst estate claimed his was an arrangement and not a performance. I was lucky to find a copy to buy only a day or so before the albums were withdrawn from sale and it was many years later that it was eventually released. I always enjoyed Tomita’s version for what it was – an electronic performance and never agreed with the Holst people and do not now. Did not Enya peform a version of a Holst composition (sorry but I cannot remember what the song was)and was this not an arrangement? I hope that Zimmer wins the day for if not then our world of music will be a poorer place.