Hans Zimmer Interrupts U.K. Concert To Show Ukrainian Pianist Fiercely Playing ‘Inception’ Song On Streets As Air Raid Sirens Sound

Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer stopped a concert at London’s O2 Arena this week to highlight a moment of beauty amid the ongoing terror on the streets of Ukraine.

His “Hans Zimmer Live” European tour is a dynamic presentation of his award-winning scores for films such as No Time to Die, Sherlock Holmes and Dune, for which he received an Oscar nomination this year.

More from Deadline

But it was Zimmer’s presentation of his song “Time” from Inception that may have provided the most powerful moment. The composer showed the audience a video posted earlier this week of a musician from Lviv named Alex who, playing “Time” on his piano for a crowd on the street, refused to stop when the air raid sirens began wailing.

The moment was captured by National Geographic photographer John Stanmeyer, who described what he witnessed when he posted the footage on Instagram.

“When bomb sirens began, police asked everyone to move inside the railway station,” wrote Stanmeyer. “Alex @alexpian_official wouldn’t stop, playing his piano louder against the air raid warning. His friend joined with the most calming pink nails. A simple, overwhelming one-minute passion against fear, against war…He went on and on, never letting go.”

Story continues

You can watch the video below.

It was not Zimmer’s only acknowledgement of Ukraine and its musicians during the long-aborning show. The composer got emotional when he introduced the Ukrainian members of his ensemble.

“When Covid stopped us from coming here 885 days ago, we booked our orchestra from the Ukraine, from Odessa, and we only managed to get 10 people out…So just welcome them,” he said. The audience, bathed in yellow and blue lights reflecting those of Ukraine’s flag, erupted in a standing ovation.

Zimmer was not done.

“One of the things which I thought was remarkable about the people that we did bring back out of the Ukraine, that were left behind from the orchestra, it was a lot of women,” he said. “They taught me who the real wonder women are and so I would like to celebrate them with this little ditty called ‘Wonder Woman.’ ”

The musicians then jumped into the pounding drums and screaming strings of the theme for Wonder Woman from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, “Is She With You?”

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.