I don't like the Mordor or Isengard theme too much. However, I do really like the intro. And I also really like it that the Isengard theme has that industrial sound to it.
Well my mom is calling me so I'll post more later.

I'll attend to this ASAP, I've been busy, with among other things, listening to the new Star Wars CD over and over. :o




ttbk

Track 6: the King of the Golden Hall
 

At the very beginning of this track, we hear the hardinger again, followed by a very wistful rendition of the Rohan theme. String instruments are, in my opinion, very dangerous things. They can either sound like dying cats or create some of the most beautiful sounds that you'll ever hear. Fortunately, when the hardinger solos at 0:53, it's the latter situation. It's got a feel like a glorious place stripped of majesty, and the hardinger is it's last bit of dignity and strength shining through. The harp is a nice touch.

I like the way the theme does not resolve the way we might expect at 1:34 -- instead, it takes a much darker turn. Low strings and brass dominate for a time before giving way to something more exciting.

2:33 to the end is very sad; it's when Theoden grieves for Theodred. Gandalf is present at the time, and the trumpet, which has often seemed to represent Gandalf, plays a rendition of the Fellowship theme underneath the choir.

The very beginning of th track is known as Eowyn's theme. That is before it becomes the Rohan theme.
Of course this is one of my favourite tracks on this CD.
Partly because I think the music is exactly like the culture it is trying to portray. The Hardinger really gives the track that celtic feel. The fiddle fits with the horses and the plains which are such a large part of the Rohan people's culture.
And it is just breathtaking with the shot of Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld.

It's good (very good), but I wouldn't go quite that far. The peak of the film comes later... :)

I think it captures the sense that the Fellowship, though scattered, still holds true. I like the simpler orchestration here, it is but a remmant that pursues the orcs.


The fiddle solo as the flag tears away in the wind is glorious, the visuals and music working together perfectly.


I also like the way the Old English lyrics are used throughout TTT to underscore the Rohhirrm's plight.

While I'm here....

The Box-Set:Disc One:
#1: Prologue (7:10)**
#2: The Shire, Middle Earth(:58)
#3: Concerning Hobbits(1:31)
#4: The Road Goes Ever On....(:39)
#5: A Wizard is Never Late(4:05)**
#6: Very Old Friends(1:39)
#7: A Night To Remember(1:26)
#8 Party#1(:45)
#9 Party#2(:57)
#10: The Sackville-Bagginses!(1:43)
#11: Goodbye(1:00)
#12: It's In My Pocket(1:43)
#13: The End of My Book(1:09)
#14: Riddles in The Dark(1:18)
#15: "Neither Secret, or Safe..."(3:14)**
#16: "The Green Dragon" (:20)
#17: "Rosie" (:17)
#18: "It Is The One Ring" (1:48)
#19: "Bilbo Found It" (:23)
#20: "Sauron endured" (:44)
#21: "Remarkable Hobbits" (3:53)**
#22 "The Journey Begins" (1:47)**
#23: "Wood Elves" (:49)
#24: "To Isengard!" (:40)**
#25: "Reason Exchanged for Madness" (2:27)**
#26: "The Treason of Isengard" (:55)**
#27: "Shortcut To Mushrooms" (:49)**
#28: "Brandybucks and Tooks" (:14)
#29: "Get off the road!" (:13)*
#30: "The Black Rider" (2:36)**
#31: "At The Sign of The Prancing Pony" (:27)**
#32: "No Gandalf" (:21)
#33 "Strider" (:38)**
#34 "Frodo Baggins" (:23)
#35 "Nazgul In The Night" (1:12)**
#36 "Journey To Rivendell" (2:07)
#37: Second Breakfast (1:08)
#38: Desecration of Isengard (:39)
#39: A Knife In The Dark (1:40)**
#40: Even the Smallest Creature... (4:02)**
#41: Weed (:48)
#42: AATF (5:23)**
61.58 Of music, 28.26 released

Disc Two:
#1: "Short Cuts Make For Long Delays" (1:01)
#2: "Many Meetings" (3:18)**
#3: "Aniron" (2:02)*
#4: "Men? Bah!" (2:23)
#5: Broken Heirloom (1:06)
#6: Isildur's Bane (1:12)
#7: Gondor Needs The Ring, Not A King (2:08)
#8: The Fellowship is Formed (3:10)**
#9: "Gilraen" (:57)*
#10: "The Ring goes South" (3:46)**
#11: "Rabbi! From Dublin!"(4:20)
#12: "Moria" (3:56)
#13: "Open Sesame!" (:40)
#14: "The Watcher" (1:34)
#15: "Journey In The Dark" (2:15)**
#16: "Pity/The Darrowdelf" (5:26)**
#17: "Here They Come!" (1:05)
#18: "Not dead (yet!)" (4:15)**
#19: "The Bridge Of Khazad-Dum" (7:53)**
55.24 of music, 13.53 released

Disc Three:
#1: "Lothlorien" (7:25)**
#2: "Lament For Gandalf" (1:58)**
#3: "Silver Trumpets" (1:05)
#4: "The Mirror Of Galadriel (2:50)
#5: "Test Of Galadriel (2:28)**
#6: "The Fighting Uruk-hai" (1:57)
#7: "Gifts Of Galadriel" (5:21)**
#8: "The Great River/The Argonath" (5:09))**
#9: "Boromir Succumbs" (2:40)
#10: "Temptation Of Aragorn" (:48)**
#11: "That Which It Defends" (7:22)**
#12: "The Passing Of Boromir" (1:55)**
#13: "The Breaking Of The Fellowship/In Dreams/May It Be" (11:39)*
51.43 music, 27.24 released
[*=released, **=partially released]

The latest news is that we might be getting the complete scores one at a time, staggered by a couple months, begining this fall, presumably to avoid turning people off by the huge price to get the whole thing at once. And we should get more news hopefully in a couple weeks. LINK

This might be of interest if anyone here is attending the Symphony in Toronto:

:D
ttbk

Track 7:
 

The track immediately establishes a frantic feel with the brash Mordor theme. Even when the music softens a bit, it still seems urgent. Not until 1:24 does it relax a bit, although it becomes more eerie. A subtle rendition of the Ring theme is heard from the strings. The very end of the track features a very bleak-sounding version of the Fellowship theme.

On a level of personal preference, this track doesn't do much for me... which I suppose is evident by the meager analysis above!

I am not very fond of this track either but I do like the very end of the track when the strings take over. I always find that they represent Gollum's plea to Frodo to take another road into Mordor.

It doesn't do much for me either.

*shrug*


I did like how it was used in the film though, the Mordor theme blaring up as they see the gate, etc.



ttbk

Track 8: Evenstar
 

Most of the track features beautiful vocals in Sindarin, with soloist Isabel Bayrakdarian

This is one of my favorite tracks on the album because of the wonderful harmonies. They seem decidedly "elvish" to me, these gentle choirs, and the low strings provide the melancholy, "wood-like" tone that also seem characteristic of elves. And as a flautist, I of course love the flute solo. Cheers to the soloist there -- low tones on a flute are awesome.

I love this track too, it is really one of my favourite tracks of all the three CDs.
It is so haunting and sad. This song really represents Arwen's difficulty with the choice she has to make. She has to choose between Aragorn or staying immortal and there are consequences either way. The feeling that would come with these choices is so well illustrated by the music. It is hard to explain and I am probably rambling.
It is just so haunting and I'm now teaching myself how to play it on the piano. (It is an easy song though)

I used to like this track a lot but now I've grown weary of it. It suits the film well but as a song out of its context I find it rather dull. Isabel Bayrakdarian has an appropriate eerie voice, though.I like the flute solo, too, though it's really the strings I like the most :p Can't argue with that!

I think this track contains nice elements but together they form a somewhat conventional or even boring whole. Maybe it's because most of the score has exciting dissonances and exotic instruments while this piece just repeats the same basic chords with regular orchesral instruments the whole time. I admit that not every single song can have something new and amazing in it but it was a little disappointment to me that I got tired to it so soon.
I've played it on the piano as well. :)

Track 9: the White Rider
 

ungoliant -- True, "Evenstar" lacks the complexity of the rest of the score. Still, I think the simplicity of it is very pretty and pleasing to the ear. Perhaps we could see it as the simple yet deep certainty of Arwen's love?

New track: the White Rider.

The beginning of the track sounds very dark, especially with the effect of the choir. This is the part when Gandalf is trying to "exorcise" Saruman's power from Theoden. The pounding drums in the background remind me of the Isengard theme, which is fitting.

The music in this track skips around, I suppose so it flows nicely. Still, it's kind of confusing. The next section is when Gandalf explains his new title to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. The rising and faling of the lower strings makes me think of Rivendell -- the Fellowship is partly reunited. A slight tension seems to mount, but is relieved at 1:02. The music here grows very beautiful -- simple choir with some instrumental background accompaniment.

Around 2:00, the music changes again as the four ride off to Edoras, on a mission.

There are many different styles and sections in this track -- which do you like best?

At first I didn't like the intro of this track at all. Now I do like it though. But I like the middle of the song best.
I really like the choir but I don't know the lyrics. Do you Encaitare?

It's in Old English...
 

Wow... Old English is pretty cool. I love how you can see the basis of modern words in the old ones.

When I see old english I always try to find words that we use today which are very similar to the words they used then.

E.G the word geboren is the dutch word for born. Bugan seems very close to begun. It is just so neat.

I like the very beginning of the track the most. The choir, the brass and the drums are growing the tension towards a climax and then - a sudden silence. Plus, the first note of this piece, the long low e, is beautifully played by the cellos(?). I think this particular exctract sounds somehow better just as music without the film stealing all attention. Yes, it's interesting that they have mixed the order of the themes. The result suonds really nice to me, though.

I really like the harmonies in this song. In general I think one of Howards Shore's strongest pieces are the ones with a choir, or another vocal part.

Shore's re-arrangement of the music for the album can be....interesting. Here the connection seems to be music from scenes with The White Rider in them. (obviously :p )


The use of Old English (Rohhiric) for the Rohhirim, along with the fiddles, definitely gives them their own sound throughout the film, moreso than Gondor had one in ROTK....




ttbk

Track 10: Treebeard
 

Sindarin lyrics:

I like how the music starts off low and menacing. It almost has a woodish sort of feel, like the creaking of branches. The voices come in like whispers through the woods. My favorite part begins at 0:54, when the solo instrument is accompanied by the percussion. I'm not sure what the instrument is, though I think it's a double reed, which would be appropriate for the whole wood theme.

Around 2:18 it changes again, with the strings entering and the percussion becoming louder. I'd really like to know what kind of percussion was used in this section, though they might have just been tapping away on wood blocks for all I know.

I'm not sure where all these lyrics come in; I suspect that just a few lines are used. Even so, I like them. I think it's cool how the lines "Do you feel it in the earth? Can you smell it in the air?" mirror Galadriel's opening lines in FotR.

I like this track but at times I think it is a little to dark. But reading the lyrics I understand why it is so dark. This track is partly showing the anger that Treebeard feels towards Saruman.
In the book it is Treebeard who says "I can feel it in the earth, I can smell it in the air" So it is very appropriate that those words were put in the lyrics. I like that of most of the lyrics in LOTR. Often you can find small qoutes from the book in them.

Ooh, yes, I'd forgotten that. Thanks for pointing that one out -- it fits the track even better. :)

Track 11:The Leave Taking

I get the honour of bringing in the next track since Encaitare won't be here.

So we begin with the Rivendell theme although this version is not so vigorous as the one we heard in Fellowship. And it melts into the Lothlorien theme as Elrond "talks" to Galadriel about the ring. Which then brings us to Frodo and Sam and we hear the ring theme at 2:56. I myself call it the fate theme since everybody is becoming connected to the ring or is involved and thus the ring becomes part of their fate.

In this track you can hear the connection between the Rivendell and Lothlorien theme. They both are wistful and there is a sense of a growing darkness. This music has a certain melancholy to it that I find very fitting for elves.

I really like this track since there is a bit of quiet before the next track which is louder and faster. This way there seems to be more variety throughout the CD.

Of course the choir is beautiful and I like the fact that the ring theme is played by and oboe since the oboe has a melancholy sound but at the same time it is also very cold and clear exactly like the ring itself.

For Treebeard~
I like the woodish feel at the beginning of the track. The first thirty seconds is very mysterious, much like Ents are very mysterious. I also love how the music keeps picking up, then suddenly it drops into the percussion and the wind solo.

For The Leave Taking~

I like this track. The Rivendell theme always puts me in a calm state of mind and that's probably why I like it. Then at 1:15 on the track it goes from Rivendell to the Lorien theme (also a lovely theme).
The Rivendell theme is very peaceful and very homely. Then the Lorien theme is more mysterious. Then there's the Ring theme around 3:11 which more played for Gollum and the prolouge from FOTR.
So this is really three themes in one and I like those tracks the best because of the contrast.

Track 12: Helm's Deep

This track begins much faster. Obviously this announces conflict. The choir joins in at 0:56 and seems to add an urgency to the track.

Then the music slows down so that it can bring in the Rohan theme in war mode. I call it that because as the Hardinger is playing you can hear the drums in the background.

It ends slowly with a soprano, which I think represents the sorrow Eowyn feels because Aragorn is lost.

I really like this track and I think the vocal parts give it a nice sweeping feel.

This is some of the more exciting action music on the CD. Love the horn phrases and war drums. The choir is mixed much too low in the film.

The choir at the end, as Eowyn realizes Aragorn is not there, is from "The Missing". (the lyrics are in the CD booklet)


ttbk

This comes back later in Forth Eorlingas (# 15 or 16)

Track 13: the Forbidden Pool
 

The whole track has a very ominous feel to it, magnified by the low instrumentation at the beginning. At 0:45, upper strings enter, providing a spoofy contrast. I like the tremolos starting around 1:25; they definitely add to the feel.

Around 2:57, a version the "seduction theme" is heard in the middle and upper strings, which develops until 4:38. The seduction theme is repeated in the way which we originally know it, by a choir. The track ends with a small string buildup.

In fact, much of this track consists entirely of strings -- what do you think of this? What might the purpose of this instrumentation be? To me, strings are a very "borderline" sort of instrument; they can create some of the most beautiful and also some of the most grating sounds. They're additionally somewhat persuasive and subtle; sometimes they're there without the listener fully realizing it. This seems to make sense with the need of Frodo to persude Gollum to trust him.

I like it that this track is just strings. No loud trumpets. (Trumpets are nice but I don't like it when they are used overmuch. E.G John William's Star Wars soundtracks)

I also think that strings are able to make an eerier atmosphere than trumpets.

Track 14: Breath of Life
 

A very pretty track, in my opinion. I love these vocal solos that come along every so often. Although, I'm missing the wonderful soprano of young Del Maestro -- that kid can sing higher than me -- luckily he'll be back soon.

So this track features the vocal stylings of Ms. Sheila Chandra, in Sindarin:

I think many will agree that the whole "Aragorn's-dead-oh-wait-he's-awoken-being-kissed-by-Brego-just-in-time-to-see-a-huge-number-of-Uruks-coming-along" thing was a bit off, but damn! does it have nice music. :p

The solo is accompanied by simple, underlying strings and brass. 1:55 marks a transition, in which there is another solo -- sounds like a gentle brass instrument. Here, the accompaniment is very dark, and soon the strings and winds take over the melody. Hints at the themes of Rohan become apparent. It suggests here that this middle section is an alternate scoring of the scene for Aragorn's vision. Which do you like better: the one used, or the purely instrumental version? And just listen to that high C that the violins play at 3:54! O, how marvelously in tune it is! :D

The biggest switch in the piece comes just afterward; this is when Aragorn is riding to Helm's Deep and spots the Uruk-hai coming. The music builds (turn the volume up and the timpani sounds great) and then becomes properly heroic. The strings play a variation of the Fellowship theme, and the track ends with a bit of the Rohan theme to let us know that Aragorn has reached his destination.

Which of the two vocal solos we've heard thus far (Evenstar, Breath of Life) do you prefer? Why?

Just a quick note (I found an internet connection)

I really like this track although I seem to go through phazes of liking it and not caring for it.I don´t know why though.
I like the voice and I do like how they searched for a different voice which could represent a theme. Thus they have a certain voice for Lothlorien, Evenstar, and Gollukm´s song. It certainly makes each track very distinguishable.

Pretty much what has already been said, they give it a very nervous feel....


LOL. Yes, I can forgive many things if the music is really good. :D

The music as Aragorn rides off is absolutely thrilling.

You know what? I think I'll try listening to this 'alternate' while watching the movie....




ttbk

Track 15: the Hornburg
 

More beautiful Rohan music! The track opens with the Rohan theme and really provides a feeling of strength that has survived for years, as if Helm's Deep itself is a place from which the Rohirrim can draw strength.

The vocal segment at 0:46 mounts tension, especially with the drums in the background as a reminder that battle is drawing near. The next transition comes around 1:50, with the militaristic trumpet. At about 2:30, the Fellowship theme returns to mingle with that of Rohan.

3:04 brings clear tidings that battle has begun. As the Uruk-hai approach, the Isengard theme is boldly represented (I especially love the gongs). The small fanfare at 3:50 makes me think of the Rohirrim on the Deeping Wall answering the challenge of the enemy. 4:10 brings a different version of the Rohan theme than we are used to hearing -- the battle is in full swing.

*real short post, and i haven't heard that "quenya" part before. normal people would believe it's elvish if howard stuck rubbish lyrics init.
...hmm i don't know what soundtrack its on (but its in the movie) i like the hobbit-part, with the celtic flute (?) its really quite peacefull (not off topic, am i?) :D

This is my favorite track on TTT soundtrack. Mainly because at 3:13 the Lorien theme returns (or to me what sounds an awful lot like the Lorien theme...correct me if I'm wrong). Only this time it's the Elves are going to war. I always loved that little piece of music right there. With the brass melody and the drums beating in the back.

And of course then it goes into the Rohan theme again, only a more fierce version.

Don´t worry Kitanna, you are right. It is the Lorien theme.

I actually really like the beginning with the voices chanting. I also like how the music builds up till the climax at the end.

This is a great piece. It's unbelievable how even a few bars of the Fellowship theme makes me feel that everything's going to be alright. The repeated use of the theme in scenes involving narrow escapes and friendship has made me link it automatically with hope.

The military version of Lothlorien theme is very nice. Just with changing the rythm a bit and adding some drums on the background it's feeling changes completely. The only negative thing is that I think it somehow lessens the Elves' nobility and gracefulness because their theme resembles now quite much Men's war themes or the idea what such themes could be like. On the other hand it brings the Elves more close to Men and makes those two races more equal comrades in war.

Track 16: Forth Eorlingas
 

Computer is fixed, whee!

Like much of this soundtrack, some of the music is presented out-of-order. The first segment is when Gandalf the White reveals himself to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. The second part is when Aragorn and Theoden ride out to meet the Uruk-hai, to when Gandalf and Eomer arrive with the Rohirrim.

This track is almost purely vocal for the first minute, with the adult choir steadily crescendo-ing over the children's voices. Pity I can't find out what they're saying, if anything.

There is really no transition made to the second part of the track. This part, in which Aragorn and Theoden ride out of Helm's Deep, is not quite triumphant, but contains a bold rendition of the Rohan theme. The theme does not resolve, but instead moves into the Fellowship theme as Gandalf arrives with Eomer.

And then comes the solo by Ben Del Maestro-- I cannot describe how much I love it. From Fellowship of the Word-Smiths:

I think it's interesting how the horse of Rohan bore the one who brought victory to Rohan in this battle, so cheers to Shadowfax! Even the end of this section doesn't seem to resolve 'normally,' though (on the tonic chord). The strings repeat the melody of the solo in E minor, and the melody finishes on E. But the note below it is A. It establishes the darker tone we will hear in the beginning of the next track.

The opening is most probably intended for the place the track title would suggest, Aragorn urging Theoden to go fight, instead of Gandalf's return.

The lyrics (found here: )
Or in other words, a continuation of "Where Now The Horse And The Rider" 's use in the last track and in Helm's Deep.

In the film we get a choral rendition of the Nature/Moth/Hope theme, which ties in to the Ents, and the way that theme is used in ROTK. Either way, it's great music.


The second half of this track is a religious experience. 'nuff said.



TTBK

Finally, I am home again and have access to the computer.

I love this track and I think it is my favourite. The way it begins quietly with the choir and then builds up till the end when Ben del Meastro sings his solo, which I absolutely love!

You would think I have all the time in the world to post something but ARGH I am so busy. I 'll try to write more later, somehow, somewhere.