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As detailed prior to the release of Interstellar, Christopher Nolan wanted audiences to hear Hans Zimmer‘s score for the space adventure for the first time in theaters. Unlike the standard protocol of releasing a soundtrack a few days prior to its theatrical bow, the director has now waited two weeks to unveil the score and today we have the first listen.

Before that, however, Nolan has opened up about another aural aspect of his latest film and one of much contention. Many have highlighted the sound mix issues at their respective theaters when it comes to potentially unintelligible dialogue. This issue is far from unfamiliar territory for the director, after complaints about Bane’s dialogue in The Dark Knight Rises, and how that mix may or may not have been adjusted.

“I’ve always loved films that approach sound in an impressionistic way and that is an unusual approach for a mainstream blockbuster, but I feel it’s the right approach for this experiential film,” Nolan tells THR when it comes to Interstellar. “Many of the filmmakers I’ve admired over the years have used sound in bold and adventurous ways. I don’t agree with the idea that you can only achieve clarity through dialogue. Clarity of story, clarity of emotions — I try to achieve that in a very layered way using all the different things at my disposal — picture and sound.”

He also talks about a few specific scenes, including a climactic one, which one can read at the source. Getting back to Zimmer’s score, it’s one of his finest, ditching the perhaps abrasive, attention-grabbing cues of his previous work with the director and employing fitting piano and organ melodies. Check out the score below and for more on the film, listen to our in-depth discussion. For those that want to head back into space again (and again), AMC has also announced plans for an “unlimited ticket” in which one can utilize until our crops disappear — or Interstellar leaves theaters.

The score for Interstellar is now available in various formats.

What do you think about Nolan’s comments? Is this your favorite Zimmer score?

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