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Old 01-31-2008, 08:30 PM   #39
Bęthberry
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Join Date: May 2002
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Bęthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.Bęthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.Bęthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.Bęthberry is wading through snowdrifts on Redhorn.
May one offer examples of situations in which instrumental music is not named, although possibly it might be expected? Not much has yet been said about LotR.

When women and children return to Gondor in preparation for the coronation of the King:

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Steward and The King
. . . and from Dol Amroth came the harpers that harped most skilfully in all the land; and there were players upon viols and and upon flutes and upon horns of silver, and clear-voiced singers from the vales of Lebennin.
Trumpets herald the arrival of the Steward with the white rod of his office which he offers up to Aragorn. And trumpets of course announce the Coronation:

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Steward and The King
'Behold the King!'
And in that moment all the trumpets were blown, and the King Elessar went forth and came to the barrier, and Hurin of theKeys thrust it back; and amid the music of harp and of viol and of flute and the singing of clear voices the King passed through the flower-laden streets.
Yet amidst all this pomp and circumstance there is one more ceremony, one long-awaited, and one which banishes all fear of the night. The Nightengale arrives and is wedded to the King, yet not one mention is made of music of any sort, nary a trumpet or horn, let alone viols and harps and flutes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Steward and The King
Then the King welcomed his guests, and they alighted; and Elrond surrended the sceptre, and laid the hand of his daughter in the hand of the King, and together they went up into the High City, and all the stars flowered in the sky. And Aragorn the King Elessar wedded Arwen Undomiel in the City of the Kings upon the day of Midsummer, and the tale of their long waiting and labours was come to fulfilment.
Granted of course that this wedding is highly symbolic, yet it is bereft of music, unless one counts the flowering of the stars as the music of the spheres.
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