Track-by-Track: Soundtrack Discussion and Analysis

[Encaitare]

The track immediately establishes a frantic feel with the brash Mordor theme. Even when the music softens a bit, it still seems urgent. Not until 1:24 does it relax a bit, although it becomes more eerie. A subtle rendition of the Ring theme is heard from the strings. The very end of the track features a very bleak-sounding version of the Fellowship theme.

On a level of personal preference, this track doesn't do much for me... which I suppose is evident by the meager analysis above!

[Lathriel]

I am not very fond of this track either but I do like the very end of the track when the strings take over. I always find that they represent Gollum's plea to Frodo to take another road into Mordor.

[The Tennis Ball Kid]

It doesn't do much for me either.

*shrug*


I did like how it was used in the film though, the Mordor theme blaring up as they see the gate, etc.



ttbk

[Encaitare]

Most of the track features beautiful vocals in Sindarin, with soloist Isabel Bayrakdarian

Solo [0.00]

Ú i vethed nâ i onnad.
Si boe ú-dhanna.
Ae ú-esteli, esteliach nad.


Chorus (simultaneous with above) [0.00]

Ú i vethed nâ i onnad.


Chorus (alone) [0.48]

Nâ boe ú i.


Solo [1.58]

Estelio han, estelio han, estelio,
estelio han, estelio veleth.


Chorus (simultaneous with above) [1.58]

[Es]teliach nad, estelio han.



Literal Translation:

'Not the end [it] is the beginning.
Now it-is-necessary [that] don't-fall
If you don't-trust some-thing.'

'Not the end [it] is the beginning.'


'[It] is necessary don't that.'



'Trust this, trust this, trust
Trust this, trust love.'

You trust some-thing, trust this.'


A Nicer Translation:

This is not the end; it is the beginning.
You cannot falter now
If you don't trust something

This is not the end; it is the beginning

You cannot do that


Trust this, trust this, trust
Trust this, trust love

You trust something, trust this.

This is one of my favorite tracks on the album because of the wonderful harmonies. They seem decidedly "elvish" to me, these gentle choirs, and the low strings provide the melancholy, "wood-like" tone that also seem characteristic of elves. And as a flautist, I of course love the flute solo. Cheers to the soloist there -- low tones on a flute are awesome.

[Lathriel]

I love this track too, it is really one of my favourite tracks of all the three CDs.
It is so haunting and sad. This song really represents Arwen's difficulty with the choice she has to make. She has to choose between Aragorn or staying immortal and there are consequences either way. The feeling that would come with these choices is so well illustrated by the music. It is hard to explain and I am probably rambling.
It is just so haunting and I'm now teaching myself how to play it on the piano. (It is an easy song though)

[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?