User:Mildly Mad/lotrmusic

This page is a work in progress as a replacement for Music of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, an article which has needed some serious work for a long time. The primary source shall be the annotated scores included in the "Complete Recordings" release of the music. I shall select major themes that I deem "important" so as to not clutter the article with too much information. Davidt2718 (talk)

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The music for the The Lord of the Rings film trilogy was composed, orchestrated and conducted by Howard Shore. Collectively, the scores for the three films are over 10 hours long and contain over 80 leitmotifs, individually representing the many characters, cultures, and settings of The Lord of the Rings.

The scores for The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King won Academy Awards in 2002 and 2004. The latter film also won an Academy Award for Best Song, as well as Golden Globe Awards for Best Original Score - Motion Picture and Best Original Song. The score for The Lord of the Rings has become the most successful composition of Shore's career, and is widely considered to be one of the most popular orchestral film scores of all time.

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Ring Theme

Although the One Ring has several themes in the films, the "History of the Ring" theme is the most distinctive. This theme can also can be construed as the "main theme" of the series, since it is heard at the beginning of each film when the title appears on the screen. It can also be heard whenever the Ring changes hands or at other important landmarks in its journey.

The Fellowship of the Ring

If the "History of the Ring" theme is not the primary theme of the Lord of the Rings films, then the "Fellowship of the Ring" theme most certainly is. The first time it is heard in pieces as the Fellowship forms in the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring, but finally takes on its full form when the Fellowship is officially formed at the Council of Elrond. The Fellowship Theme also plays throughout the trilogy to mark significant events within or performed by the fellowship.

The fanfare-like quality of this theme represents the courage of the Fellowship of the Ring. The second phrase contains 9 notes, one for each member of the Fellowship.

The Hobbit Theme

Although there are many "themes" for the Hobbits, the Pensive Setting is the most often used. It also may be counted as a main theme for the trilogy. It is at first heard as a background for the Shire, and throughout the trilogy serves as a link back to the Hobbits' home. Whenever the Hobbits take a significant step in their journey, or reflect on their former lives, the Hobbit Theme can be heard.

References

• http://www.lordoftherings-soundtrack.com/ Official soundtracks site]