K2 is the title of the 1992 mountain climbing adventure starring Michael Biehn (Aliens) and Matt Craven (Crimson Tide). Hans Zimmer had originally been slated to write the score for the film. Unfortunately his score was turned down and a similar yet inferior score was chosen to replace it. Fortunately for us, Zimmer's original vision for the score survived to be released on CD as "music inspired by the film". This CD release features only two tracks, but don't let that fact disuade you. If you know Zimmer, you know that despite the prescence of only two tracks, they must be leaden with music. And right you would be if you made that supposition. The first track, The Ascent lasts close to 30 minutes, while the second and final track, The Descent lasts for close to 15 minutes.
While the two tracks feature very similar music, the moods of both reflect the changes in moods of the climbers as they reach their goal and then face adversity on their return to the base of the mountain. Zimmer punctuates his score with occasional bursts of guitar played by the fabulous Pete Haycock. This technique is used often these days by many of Zimmer's contemporaries such as Trevor Rabin in the score to Armageddon.
Since this score was rejected from the film, it is difficult to match music up to a particular scene or incident in the film but the music does lend itself to creating images in the mind of the action on screen. While the first track is on the mellow side of things, the second track is full of elements that exemplify Hans Zimmer's work. Choral passages, bursts of tense music and soft, contemplative pieces that have all gone one to typify Zimmer's style. This score is worth looking into although I think Zimmer fans would likely enjoy it more than the casual listener.
Total time: 41:24
1: The Ascent (27:37)
2: The Descent (13:41)