Track-by-Track: Soundtrack Discussion and Analysis

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

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.

And as a flautist, I of course love the flute solo.

I like the flute solo, too, though it's really the strings I like the most

low tones on a flute are awesome.

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'm now teaching myself how to play it on the piano. (It is an easy song though)

I've played it on the piano as well.

[Encaitare]

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?

[Lathriel]

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?

[Encaitare]

Lim-strang wæs geboren [0.12]
Bearn léod-cyninga [0.24]
Magorinc Mearces. [0.37]
Bunden in byrde tó laedenne
Bunden in lufe tó ðegnunge
Lang beadugear cýðað
Lic onginneð búgan.
Swift déadlic géar Stieppað geond willan.
Ac éagan gíet lóciað Beorhtre gesihðe;
Heorte gíet béateð.


'Strong-limbed he was born
This son of Kings;
This warrior of Rohan.
Bound by birth to lead.
Bound by love to serve.
Long years of war begin to show.
The body has begun to bend.
Swift mortal years outpace the will.
But the eyes still watch clear-sighted.
The great heart is beating still.'

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

[Lathriel]

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.

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

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.

Originally Posted by Enca

The music in this track skips around, I suppose so it flows nicely. Still, it's kind of confusing.

Yes, it's interesting that they have mixed the order of the themes. The result suonds really nice to me, though.

[Lathriel]

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.