Hans Zimmer Records Roma Music for "Sherlock Holmes" at MG Sound / Vienna

Slovakian Musicians Work Under Auspices of The National Democratic Institute

Pictured at MG Sound studios in Vienna, Austria, are composer/conductor Hans Zimmer and Roma musicians from Slovakia.

Oscar, Grammy & Golden Globe Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer recorded music of the Roma people, commonly known as Gypsies, for the dynamically moving score of “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” Under the auspices of the National Democratic Institute, Zimmer traveled to Slovakia and found virtuoso Roma musicians who then traveled to Vienna to record at Austria’s MG Sound recording studios.

“I grew up loving the Roma music so much, those ‘Gypsy violins’,” Zimmer recalls. “But I never really knew who they were. I told our director, Guy Richie, that we had to do a road trip. While visiting Roma settlements in Slovakia, we discovered unbelievable musicianship. We heard a few bands, loved their playing and invited them to Vienna, where we went into the recording studio and started making music.”

Through this project, Zimmer hopes to draw attention to the plight of the marginalized and disenfranchised Roma people of Eastern Europe, commonly known as Gypsies. He traveled under the auspices of the NDI, a non-profit group that fosters democracy and human rights around the world. Bonnie Abaunza, VP of Zimmer’s Remote Control Charitable Foundation, accompanied him and his photographer daughter Zoe and film crew for the road trip to Slovakia.

In Vienna, Zimmer praised the Roma musicians, many of whom had never been professionally recorded, and the great sound they achieved in the studio. “I told them that I wanted their music on top of the orchestral score. Of course, Sherlock plays the violin and the true virtuosos are always those ‘Gypsy’ violins. I said we only had one chance to do this music the best we can and put it out into the world. It’s folkloric but at the same time there is incredible sophistication.”

“Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows – The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” is now available from WaterTower Music. Proceeds from the soundtrack album go toward assisting the Roma people. [1][2][3]In addition to receiving the 18 tracks on the album, those who purchase the soundtrack will also be able to download three free additional tracks from the film, along with a video chronicling Zimmer’s journey to record the music of the Roma people.

for information about MG Sound, visit : http://www.mg-sound.com