Track-by-Track: Soundtrack Discussion and Analysis

[Encaitare]

The track opens with strings playing a more toned-down version of the Rivendell theme. Then, the lovely Enya has her first appearance on the soundtrack:

O môr henion i dhû:
Ely siriar, êl síla.
Ai! Aníron Undómiel.

Tiro! Êl eria e môr.
I 'lîr en êl luitha 'úren.
Ai! Aníron...


From darkness I understand the night:
dreams flow, a star shines.
Ah! I desire Evenstar.

Look! A star rises out of the darkness.
The song of the star enchants my heart.
Ah! I desire...

Very fitting for Aragorn and Arwen's little scene of romance.

The second half of the track is at the actual Council, with the Fellowship theme beginning to build up. As soon as the transition is made, around 2:15, the strings play a bit of the Rivendell theme briefly, but then switch to that of the Fellowship, with more and more instruments being added. First there are strings, to which are added brass as Gandalf, Aragorn, and our other larger heroes join. When Sam joins them, we hear the Shire theme with its tin whistle (2:55); and then there are full strings playing the same them when Merry and Pippin join. Quickly, it becomes the Fellowship theme once more, with full strings, brass, and timpani... and doesn't that cymbal crash at the end sound so triumphant?

This is the first time we hear the Fellowship theme in full, and the last time we will hear it this way for a while.

Not much analysis here, I know... but I liked doing this one. It's very complex thematically.