Track-by-Track: Soundtrack Discussion and Analysis

[Lathriel]

This is the last time we hear the fellowship theme in a triumphant style. (In FOTR anyway)

The choir certainly cranks up the tension. I really like the story attached to it, they got a bunch of maori football players together to do the chanting. this was because all their voices were pretty low and therefore perfect for dwarvish.

Of course the vocal solo at the end is very beautiful and it suits the moment beautifully which is why I often feel my eyes brimming with tears.

[Encaitare]

The whole sound of this track is mysterious, with ghostly sorts of choirs and plenty of Eastern instruments to give it an exotic feel. The harp makes it very ethereal.

The Elves lament Gandalf's death... for a looooong time ...

Solo in Sindarin:

In gwidh ristennin,
i fae narchannen
I Lach Anor ed ardhon gwannen

Mithrandir, Mithrandir! A Randir Vithren!
Ú-reniathach i amar galen
I reniad lín ne môr, nuithannen

Chorus in Quenya

Ilfirin nairelma nauva i nauva
Ilfirin nairelma ar ullume nucuvalme
Nauva i nauva melme nóren sina nairelma


'The bonds cut,
the spirit broken
The Flame of Anor has left this World'

Mithrandir, Mithrandir, O Pilgrim Grey!
No more you will wander the world green
Your journey in darkness stopped.'


'Undying [is] our regret, [it] will be what will be [or 'What should be shall be']
Undying [is] our regret and yet we will cast all away,
[It] will be what will be, love for this land [is] our regret.'

The track ends with a French horn (I believe, could be wrong) and strings.

Let's see if we can't get some actual discussion going, huh? Here are some questions to think about: Does this piece fit your thoughts of what Elvish music would sound like? If not, what would you do differently? How does this (either the contents of the track or your own ideas) fit in with Lorien's history and people?

[The Tennis Ball Kid]

Whoops! I missed a week!

I'll do The Tottering Stairs of Khazad-dum tonight, and Lotherion over the weekend.


The rendition of the Fellowship theme that opens the track is rivaled only by the ones from The Uruk-hai and For Frodo as the most triumphant.

"the demon comes!" I really like knowing that... it makes the words more than just a cool choir.

Yes, it's almost like the dwarves it killed are warning the Fellowship to run(!).

The scene itself gets a little silly when they're on the stairs, but the music almost gives it a little credence.

You have to love the reprise of the Fellowship theme as they escape the stairs; dun dun, da da dun, da da da, da dun, da dun, dun dun....

Most of the music from this scene is released, but I'm pretty sure there's a rendition of the Balrog music, sans choir, as they cross the bridge.

The etheral oohing after Gandalf falls is just gorgeous, as is the solo, which I'm pretty sure is female BTW, of course the track cuts off before the choral piece after the solo.

All things considered, this track's a pretty good listen.


ttbk

[Encaitare]

which I'm pretty sure is female BTW

Hmm... I'm pretty sure it's a male, a young boy like we heard when Gandalf is on top of Orthanc playing with the local insect life. I've been poking about the 'Net trying to find out who it is so we can be sure once and for all, but I can't find anything yet...

[The Tennis Ball Kid]

Hmmm, this site says it's Mabel Faletolu.


ttbk

[Encaitare]

Thanks for the link... so it's a lady after all! Eeenteresting....

[Lathriel]

I think its Edward Ross, the same guy who sings In dreams.

Anyway, the first time I heard the Lothlorien track along with the movie I thought it was too dark for the movie. However, when I later discovered that it was Gandalf's Lament I understood everything.
Now I really like this track although I would have liked to see more of the elves' light side since I know they are also capable of happier songs.