Track-by-Track: Soundtrack Discussion and Analysis - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Encaitare · 04-15-2005, 09:46 PM

Hey, congrats, guys! We made it to TTT! Still interested?

Right. Track One. The opening brass is like a "welcome back". I envision a thick book, leather-bound and inviting with yellowed pages, being opened to its second chapter. And we, the eager readers, fall back once more into the tale. We are immediately reminded of what's going on by the strings' repetition of the Ring theme. (In the movie, I absolutely love the camera panning over the mountains. Awesome shots there.)

The violins continue; the sound is sad and nothing ever seems to resolve completely. At 1:42, we are whisked back to the Bridge of Khazad-Dum. We hear the brassy battle carry out, and the segment has the same conclusion at 2:30 as it did back in track 13 of FotR -- that low string tone. But since here we see things continue from Gandalf's point of view, the music picks up almost immediately with the choir. At 2:32 we hear:

Quote:

[Quenya]
Mettanna.
Nurunna!

To the end
To the death!

Chanting in Khuzdul begins as the foes descend ever deeper into the former Dwarven realm. Starting at 2:44:

Quote:

Irkat-lukhud ma
katabrikihu
Ulfat-atam ma
tanakhi uduhu
bin-nât aznân tarsisi

No shaft of light
Can breach it
No breath of air
Comes from it
Only an endless dark rises

Here, it would seem that the trumpets/brass are Gandalf (as we have heard in past tracks), the throbbing drums are the Balrog ("drums, drums in the deep"), and the ongoing chanting simply represents the setting.

At 3:32, the drums cease for a few moments as Gandalf and the Balrog fall over the surface of the water. I particularly like this section -- it sounds almost more epic than what we're previously been hearing. In fact, it reminds me of some of the victorious music we'll hear in RotK, not surprisingly: since they are about to hit the water, it can't bode too well for the Balrog. At this point we hear:

Quote:

[Quenya]
Mettanna
Nárendur
An mauya mahtie
Mettanna

To the end
Servant of fire
For you must fight
To the end

Thusly the track ends, and for a little while we are kept in the dark as to exactly what will happen.

Only portions of the written lyrics were used in the actual track. Full Quenya lyrics are here and full Khuzdul lyrics are here.

My apologies for posting this so late (it's almost midnight for me, anyway) -- my internet randomly shut down on me this afternoon.

Lathriel · 04-18-2005, 04:35 PM

I remember watching TTT for the first time and getting goosebumps because of the beautiful combination of image and music.

In the soundtrack for FOTR we actually don't hear the ring theme but on this soundtrack we do. I was really glad when I heard the theme on the TTT soundtrack because it is central to the story and the melody is so haunting.

Anyway, I'm too tired to think of more since I have a jetlag. I will expand on this post later.

Encaitare · 04-22-2005, 02:38 PM

Before I begin, I have a question for all readers/participants thus far: is anyone still interested? It seems that Lathriel, ttbk (sometimes) and myself have been the only ones posting as of late, and I'd like to know if anyone else is following the thread. I'd certainly like to continue, but if no one is going to respond, then I don't know if it's worth it to post.

So anyway, track 2. It starts off with the Shire theme on clarinet, but the strings and choir add a darker tone -- the familiar characters are coming to a place that is completely new.

The second section, in which Gollum is climbing down the wall, does indeed have a sound like creeping footsteps. The harsh brass and strings follow as Frodo and Sam fight off Gollum. The track ends with the same footstep-like tones, on brass and vibraphone, I believe.

Apologies that this is so short -- it's not a very eventful track.

Lathriel · 04-22-2005, 03:25 PM

Come on peoples!!! Join the discussion. Talk about anything form how this track makes you feel,to any memories that are connected to it or how you feel certain themes relate to the book or movies.

I have to agree with you Encaitare, this track isn't very exciting although it is neat how the vibraphone (or is it dulcimer) is chosen to represent Gollum. I have the LOTR symphony by Johan de Meij where Gollum is portrayed by a saxophone(I don't know which kind but its smaller then an alto sax)I like the dulcimer better because it is much more subtle and it really portrays his ability to be quiet when he has to be,plus his tendency to sneak from here to there.

Kitanna · 04-22-2005, 03:33 PM

I'm still interested I just really haven't had much to say or I just haven't had the time to say anything. And ending on that note I still have nothing to say, but I do have stuff for the next track from TTT.

The Tennis Ball Kid · 04-22-2005, 04:22 PM

Sorry I haven't been around, school has been keeping me insanely busy lately.

ttbk
Edit: In passing, an observation about The Prophecy, since I wasn't here for that discussion: This is really reminescent of a Biblical epic from the fifties and sixties, like The Robe (just scroll down and listen to the first sample). I thought that was kinda neat.

Estelyn Telcontar · 04-23-2005, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Encaitare

I have a question for all readers/participants thus far: is anyone still interested?

Since you're asking readers, not just participants, yes! I don't have the time to participate actively in this discussion, but I do enjoy reading it. So please do carry on!

Anguirel · 04-24-2005, 12:59 AM

I'm certainly still interested.

Some miscellaneous comments:

1. The Breaking of the Fellowship is lovely, but I sometimes feel slightly too remniscent of Titanic. Sort of standard cinematic emotional tune number 16. But I only get that feeling when I'm struck with cynicism...

2. I'm not that fond of "In Dreams", but the choir is omitting the s on purpose, so the soloist alone sings it. This is a means of making sure the s will be synchronised, and will start and finish at the right time. My objection is that there's something a bit blocked up about the soloist's voice, as if he has a slight cold...

3. I love "May It Be". In fact, I find myself singing it under my breath in unguarded moments...

4. The Two Towers, for me, is a motivational CD. I play it when I'm stirring myself to write. The Foundations of Stone are a nice menacing introduction, though they don't quite match either The Prophecy or A Storm is Coming.

5. I never really rate the Taming of Smeagol, or the later Passage of the Marshes. Unlike some of the Rohan tracks, they rely strongly on knowing and seeing what's going on, and aren't much good at conjuring images in their own right.

6. I cannot wait to rhapsodise on how much I love the Rohan theme!

dancing spawn of ungoliant · 04-24-2005, 11:42 AM

Somehow it is much easier for me to listen to TTT's soundtrack than FotR's. I guess the score isn't as gloomy as in FotR and it's more "melodic".
The Shire theme gives me immediately a calm feeling: everything's going to be fine though in the movie Frodo and Sam have just started their lonely and almost hopeless journey to Mordor.
Otherwise I think this is the lamest track in TTT. The song's latter half's dissonant chords are really unpleasant to listen to. And as Encaitare said, it doesn't really happen very much in this piece.

Encaitare · 04-24-2005, 01:48 PM

What I like about the FotR soundtrack are the location themes.

What I like about the RotK soundtrack is the encompassment of every emotion I have ever felt.

What I like about the TT soundtrack is the fact that it blends the two perfectly. We will later hear the Rohan theme (which, like ungoliant, I love to no end) and when the Rohirrim arrive at Helm's Deep, it's a wonderfully majestic version of the theme.

Just my random thoughts.

04-18-2005, 04:35 PM	#2
Lathriel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Wandering through Middle-Earth (Sadly in Alberta and not ME) Posts: 612	I remember watching TTT for the first time and getting goosebumps because of the beautiful combination of image and music. In the soundtrack for FOTR we actually don't hear the ring theme but on this soundtrack we do. I was really glad when I heard the theme on the TTT soundtrack because it is central to the story and the melody is so haunting. Anyway, I'm too tired to think of more since I have a jetlag. I will expand on this post later. __________________ Back again

04-22-2005, 02:38 PM	#3
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	Track 2: The Taming of Smeagol Before I begin, I have a question for all readers/participants thus far: is anyone still interested? It seems that Lathriel, ttbk (sometimes) and myself have been the only ones posting as of late, and I'd like to know if anyone else is following the thread. I'd certainly like to continue, but if no one is going to respond, then I don't know if it's worth it to post. So anyway, track 2. It starts off with the Shire theme on clarinet, but the strings and choir add a darker tone -- the familiar characters are coming to a place that is completely new. The second section, in which Gollum is climbing down the wall, does indeed have a sound like creeping footsteps. The harsh brass and strings follow as Frodo and Sam fight off Gollum. The track ends with the same footstep-like tones, on brass and vibraphone, I believe. Apologies that this is so short -- it's not a very eventful track.

04-22-2005, 03:25 PM	#4
Lathriel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Wandering through Middle-Earth (Sadly in Alberta and not ME) Posts: 612	Come on peoples!!! Join the discussion. Talk about anything form how this track makes you feel,to any memories that are connected to it or how you feel certain themes relate to the book or movies. I have to agree with you Encaitare, this track isn't very exciting although it is neat how the vibraphone (or is it dulcimer) is chosen to represent Gollum. I have the LOTR symphony by Johan de Meij where Gollum is portrayed by a saxophone(I don't know which kind but its smaller then an alto sax)I like the dulcimer better because it is much more subtle and it really portrays his ability to be quiet when he has to be,plus his tendency to sneak from here to there. __________________ Back again

04-22-2005, 03:33 PM	#5
Kitanna Child of the West Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Watching President Fillmore ride a unicorn Posts: 2,132	I'm still interested I just really haven't had much to say or I just haven't had the time to say anything. And ending on that note I still have nothing to say, but I do have stuff for the next track from TTT. __________________ "Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." - Mark Twain

04-22-2005, 04:22 PM	#6
The Tennis Ball Kid Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 38	Sorry I haven't been around, school has been keeping me insanely busy lately. ttbk Edit: In passing, an observation about The Prophecy, since I wasn't here for that discussion: This is really reminescent of a Biblical epic from the fifties and sixties, like The Robe (just scroll down and listen to the first sample). I thought that was kinda neat. Last edited by The Tennis Ball Kid; 04-22-2005 at 04:37 PM.

04-24-2005, 12:59 AM	#8
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	Catching Up I'm certainly still interested. Some miscellaneous comments: 1. The Breaking of the Fellowship is lovely, but I sometimes feel slightly too remniscent of Titanic. Sort of standard cinematic emotional tune number 16. But I only get that feeling when I'm struck with cynicism... 2. I'm not that fond of "In Dreams", but the choir is omitting the s on purpose, so the soloist alone sings it. This is a means of making sure the s will be synchronised, and will start and finish at the right time. My objection is that there's something a bit blocked up about the soloist's voice, as if he has a slight cold... 3. I love "May It Be". In fact, I find myself singing it under my breath in unguarded moments... 4. The Two Towers, for me, is a motivational CD. I play it when I'm stirring myself to write. The Foundations of Stone are a nice menacing introduction, though they don't quite match either The Prophecy or A Storm is Coming. 5. I never really rate the Taming of Smeagol, or the later Passage of the Marshes. Unlike some of the Rohan tracks, they rely strongly on knowing and seeing what's going on, and aren't much good at conjuring images in their own right. 6. I cannot wait to rhapsodise on how much I love the Rohan theme! __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

04-24-2005, 11:42 AM	#9
dancing spawn of ungoliant Mischievous Candle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: So near to Russia, so far from Japan, quite a long way from Cairo, lots of miles from Vietnam. Posts: 1,234	This is one my fave threads! Somehow it is much easier for me to listen to TTT's soundtrack than FotR's. I guess the score isn't as gloomy as in FotR and it's more "melodic". The Shire theme gives me immediately a calm feeling: everything's going to be fine though in the movie Frodo and Sam have just started their lonely and almost hopeless journey to Mordor. Otherwise I think this is the lamest track in TTT. The song's latter half's dissonant chords are really unpleasant to listen to. And as Encaitare said, it doesn't really happen very much in this piece. __________________ Fenris Wolf

04-24-2005, 01:48 PM	#10
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	What I like about the FotR soundtrack are the location themes. What I like about the RotK soundtrack is the encompassment of every emotion I have ever felt. What I like about the TT soundtrack is the fact that it blends the two perfectly. We will later hear the Rohan theme (which, like ungoliant, I love to no end) and when the Rohirrim arrive at Helm's Deep, it's a wonderfully majestic version of the theme. Just my random thoughts.