Track-by-Track: Soundtrack Discussion and Analysis

[Encaitare]

A short track, but a triumphant one nonetheless.

The first 45 seconds or so are from Bilbo and Frodo's scene, in which Frodo is given Sting and the mithril shirt, and Bilbo goes a little but crazy. It opens with an English horn and strings, and then changes to a sadder sort of Shire theme, with strings and clarinet. The clarinet is then replaced once more by the English horn.

Thus the second part of the track is introduced, via some strings on a tremolo, a brass pedal tone and melody, and a growing timpani roll. The melody is still that of the Shire, although it sounds far more majestic than our original little whistle could ever hope to be! These four small hobbits are off into the big world, part of an important mission.

A gong crash begins the change to the Fellowship theme in bold brass, as the nine of them (ten if you count Bill the pony) come up over that rocky pass in their Hero Shot. The brass and winds then carry the music down from the trumpet solo's final note.

[Kitanna]

Possibly the greatest English Horn solo I have ever heard. And then I love how it picks up in the middle and a brass fanfare takes over (whoa! go brass!)

[Nuranar]

This is possibly (but only possibly) my favorite track for this movie, most particularly because of the bold, inspiring rendition of the Fellowship theme. After my father began to learn the cornet - and all three younger brothers picked it up, in varying degrees of dedication - it crystallized in my mind just how much I thrill to the sound of a solo trumpet. As I've already said, the Indiana Jones soundtracks have always been my favorites. Remember what plays that theme? I think most everything John Williams writes leans on the trumpet. Likely that's why his work always grabs me. I usually have something instrumental on for background when I'm working, and invariably the clear, strong sound of the trumpet will catch my ear. It happened just today - listening to Verdi, of all things.

As a point of curiosity, what is the top note that trumpet hits? I ask for a very silly reason, but...

Once, when in the car with my father, we had this track playing. For some reason I started to sing with the trumpet. Although I've never have voice lessons, I think I'm a second soprano. (I sang six months in a choir - a good choir, which my brothers are still in, but still only six months four years ago.) I still love to sing and frequently worked out my range on the piano. Turns out I'm a decent soprano up to G (1.5 octaves above middle C). I can hit the A, but the quality and volume are emphatically not there. (Incidentally, I can also go down a full octave below middle C. It's fun - and quite amusing - to randomly sing a strong tenor during worship. )

*ahem* When I sang with the track, my voice can hit that top trumpet note well. Relatively well, for my skill at least, but I know it can't be an A. Still, it was definitely at the top of my range, so I hazard that it's that G, or possibly the F or F#. A very unscientific and subjective guess - but what do y'all think? Am I way off base?

All that aside, this is STILL one of my all-time favorite tracks.

[Encaitare]

It is an A above middle C, Nuranar... don't underestimate yourself!

[Nuranar]

AWESOME! That has so made my day!

[Lathriel]

I like this track(Well I like every track anyway) Everytime I hear it I feel hope. In fact all I have to do is think of the song and it plays in my head as most of the LOTR tracks do. I love the fact that the instruments are clearly heard. The rest of the orchestra basically provides the harmony while the clarinet (Or is it an Oboe, maybe the sound is too sharp for a clarinet,at least my brother's clarinet can be extremely mellow at times), the French Horn and the Trumpet are clearly heard rising above the rest of the orchestra and giving their clear melody. Sometimes it gives me goosbumps.
After this track the sound of this CD changes instantly and we don't hear the fellowship theme in its full glory anymore.
Also another thing I like about this track is that before the trumpet takes over the strings announce its coming, they increase the intensity untill finally the lower brass comes in, and then the trumpet gives the fellowship theme in its full glory. All I can say is Beautiful!!!

[Encaitare]

The rest of the orchestra basically provides the harmony while the clarinet (Or is it an Oboe, maybe the sound is too sharp for a clarinet,at least my brother's clarinet can be extremely mellow at times),

They switch off; you can hear the transitions if you listen closely.