Track-by-Track: Soundtrack Discussion and Analysis

[Encaitare]

We begin here with a single sung note, which is then harmonized by a children's choir. Most of the harmonies sound like minor thirds to me. Then strings and eventually an English horn join in. This beginning part is Arwen doing her dreamy white glowy vision self.

It continues with strings and what sounds like a French horn, all very quiet and romantic for Arwen and Aragorn to have their moment.

At 1:38, the brass comes in, which is -- ta da! -- the Ringwraiths, back for another go at getting that pesky short dude who just keeps on evading them. Nice timpani and a gong are used to build up the tension, and then there is an awesome upper brass bit as the Ringwraiths chase Glorfindel -- whoops, I mean Arwen, and Frodo.

2:31, the choir comes in with the same Adunaic we've been hearing for several tracks, in a slightly different order, though, for anyone who cares to follow along as s/he listens:

Bârî 'n Katharâd
Îdô nêd nêpâm
Nêtabdam dâurad
Nidir nêpâm
Nêpâm nêd aglar

A fanfare follows this as Arwen challenges the Nazgul; a loud gong seems to be what signals their being swept away by the river. After this it all becomes very soft once more as Frodo fades and turns a nice shade of green. There are strings and a soft choir with some very subtle chord progressions.

So, here is where we first actually meet an Elf -- does the music sound elvish enough to you?