Track-by-Track: Soundtrack Discussion and Analysis

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

if you listen really closely, I think there's a flexatone in there, making eerie wavy noises underneath the strings and choir.

Wow! You are really skillful in recognizing different instruments! Do you play in an orchestra?
The Black Rider - In my opinion it's one of the pieces in FotR that are easiest to get into. Despite the dissonancing chords it's really pleasant to listen to. The middle part of the piece is very distressing. After the dominant brass and choir leave the listener gasping (2:25) the drum plays for a few seconds like imitating a heart beat. The pace of the "heart beat" is quite calm, especially for a hobbit who has been chased by a black rider. But I think it still somehow reflects the feeling that the hobbits managed to evade the danger and they don't have to worry for a while.