The Themes of Howard Shore's The Lord of the Rings

[Jay 41,550]

Hey everyone,

It's been a long, long time since I've posted here, but I've been working on something for a while that I wanted to post. It might not be as interesting to people here as my Harry Potter 3 or The Terminal breakdowns, but I know some will appreciate it.

It's a list of what theme is playing when during every track of The Lord Of The Rings: The Complete Recordings.

I'm sure I've got some mistakes and omissions riddled throughout here, so please, post any corrections or additions you find!

Howard Shore's The Lord of The Rings

A track-by-track breakdown of what themes are playing when in The Complete Recordings

by Jason LeBlanc

Themes in bold are where that theme appears for the first time in the score.

The Fellowship of the Ring

I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All (7:16)

• 0:05-0:30 Lothlorien
  
• 0:40-1:18 History of the Ring
  
• 1:26-1:55 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 1:42-1:55 ***UNKNOWN THEME***
  
• 2:00-2:12 Mordor Descending Third
  
• 2:00-2:12 The Ringwraiths
  
• 2:13-2:17 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 2:13-2:17 The Evil of the Ring (Sauron's Theme)
  
• 2:17-2:46 The Ringwraiths
  
• 2:24-2:40 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 3:00-3:12 The Ringwraiths
  
• 3:12-3:22 Fall Of Men
  
• 3:22-3:52 ***UNKNOWN THEME***
  
• 3:23-3:52 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 4:05-4:18 History of the Ring
  
• 4:19-4:26 Rivendell
  
• 4:55-5:23 History of the Ring
  
• 5:52-6:09 The Pity of Gollum
  
• 6:13-6:38 Nameless Fear
  
• 6:39-7:08 History of the Ring
  

I-2 The Shire (2:29)

• 0:00-0:22 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 0:24-0:54 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 0:58-1:18 The Hobbit Two Step Figure
  
• 1:18-1:29 The Hobbit Skip Beat
  
• 1:29-1:34 The End Cap
  
• 1:34-2:25 The Shire (Rural Setting)
  

I-3 Bag End (4:35)

• 0:00-0:04 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 0:43-0:47 The Hobbit Outline Figure
  
• 0:47-1:05 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 1:06-1:10 The Hobbit Outline Figure
  
• 1:10-1:45 The Shire (Rural Setting)
  
• 2:08-2:30 The Hobbit Skip Beat
  
• 2:54-2:59 The Hobbit Outline Figure
  
• 2:59-3:17 The Hobbit Two Step Figure
  
• 3:17-3:37 The Shire (Rural Setting)
  
• 3:37-3:40 The End Cap
  
• 3:42-3:52 The Hobbit Two Step Figure
  
• 3:42-3:52 The Shire (Rural Setting)
  
• 3:51-3:52 The End Cap
  
• 3:53-4:01 The Hobbit Two Step Figure
  
• 4:01-4:30 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  

I-4 Very Old Friends (3:12)

• 0:00-0:23 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 0:23-0:52 The Hobbit Outline Figure
  
• 1:33-1:40 The Hobbit Outline Figure
  
• 2:41-3:03 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  

I-5 Flaming Red Hair - Plan 9 (2:39)

I-6 Farewell Dear Bilbo (1:45)

• 0:15-0:39 The Shire (Hymm Setting)
  
• 0:39-0:55 A Hobbit's Understanding
  

I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe (8:53)

• 1:45-1:55 The Pity of Gollum
  
• 2:59-3:14 Mordor Descending Third
  
• 3:22-3:57 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 4:29-5:05 History of the Ring
  
• 5:50-6:17 Mordor Descending Third
  
• 5:53-6:02 The Evil of the Ring (Sauron's Theme)
  
• 6:16-6:22 The Evil of the Ring (Sauron's Theme)
  
• 6:17-6:22 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 6:22-6:30 The Ringwraiths
  
• 6:37-6:42 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 6:42-6:45 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 6:48-7:02 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 8:02-8:06 The Threat of Mordor
  

I-8 A Conspiracy Unmasked (6:09)

• 0:00-0:20 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 1:01-1:10 Mordor Descending Third
  
• 1:41-1:56 The Pity of Gollum
  
• 2:25-3:01 History of the Ring
  
• 3:22-3:30 The Pity of Gollum
  
• 3:40-3:54 The Pity of Gollum
  
• 5:33-5:46 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 5:51-6:00 The Threat of Mordor
  

I-9 Three Is Company (1:58)

• 0:09-0:34 Seduction of the Ring
  
• 0:51-1:25 Journey There
  
• 1:26-1:40 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 1:40-1:57 The Fellowship of the Ring
  

I-10 The Passing of the Elves - Plan 9 (2:39)

I-11 Saruman the White (4:09)

• 0:00-0:07 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 0:12-0:31 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 0:12-0:31 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 0:31-0:38 The Threat of Mordor
  
• 1:39-1:48 The Threat of Mordor
  
• 3:45-4:05 Mordor Outline Figure
  

I-12 A Shortcut to Mushrooms (4:07)

• 1:25-1:37 Threat of Mordor
  
• 1:43-1:53 Mordor Descending Third
  
• 2:02-2:17 The Ringwraiths
  
• 2:22-2:47 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 2:47-2:52 Threat of Mordor
  
• 2:52-3:42 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 2:52-2:55 The Ringwraiths
  
• 3:00-3:10 The Ringwraiths
  
• 3:12-3:35 The Ringwraiths
  
• 3:42-3:57 The Threat of Mordor
  

I-13 Strider (2:34)

• 1:43-1:48 Heroics of Aragorn
  
• 2:12-2:19 Mordor Descending Third
  

I-14 The Nazgul (6:04)

• 0:54-1:16 The Ringwraiths
  
• 0:54-1:06 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 1:06-1:16 The Threat of Mordor
  
• 1:17-1:32 The Ringwraiths
  
• 2:15-2:44 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 3:02-3:24 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 3:48-3:55 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 4:03-4:09 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 5:12-5:56 Evil Times
  

II-1 Weathertop (2:14)

• 0:18-0:31 Mordor Descending Third
  
• 0:31-1:10 The Threat of Mordor
  
• 0:31-1:10 The Ringwraiths
  
• 1:22-1:34 The Threat of Mordor
  

II-2 The Caverns of Isengard (4:54)

• 0:15-0:44 Heroics of Aragorn
  
• 0:49-1:02 The Threat of Mordor
  
• 1:27-2:09 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 1:34-2:02 Isengard/Orc Theme
  
• 2:04-2:35 Nature's Reclamation
  
• 2:35-3:52 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 2:44-3:28 Isengard/Orc Theme
  

II-3 Give Up the Halfling (4:49)

• 0:00-0:41 Arwen
  
• 1:47-2:19 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 2:47-3:27 The Ringwraiths
  
• 2:47-3:20 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 3:48-3:51 The Threat of Mordor
  
• 3:59-4:19 Arwen
  

II-4 Orthanc (1:06)

II-5 Rivendell (3:26)

• 0:00-0:04 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 0:22-1:02 Rivendell
  
• 1:02-1:44 The Shire (Hymm Setting)
  
• 1:44-2:12 A Hobbit's Understanding
  
• 2:12-2:26 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 2:26-2:48 Rivendell
  
• 2:49-3:24 The Shire (Hymm Setting)
  

II-6 The Sword That Was Broken (3:34)

• 0:10-0:39 Rivendell
  
• 0:47-1:02 Rivendell
  
• 1:53-2:27 Rivendell
  
• 2:44-3:31 Evil Times
  

II-7 The Council of Elrond Assembles (4:01)

• 0:00-0:24 Rivendell
  
• 3:22-3:28 History of the Ring
  
• 3:36-3:55 Mordor Descending Third
  

II-8 The Great Eye (5:30)

• 0:00-0:54 Realm of Gondor (In Decline)
  
• 1:18-1:25 Realm of Gondor (In Decline)
  
• 1:29-1:36 The Threat of Mordor
  
• 1:37-2:03 The Power Of Mordor
  
• 2:54-3:06 The Evil of the Ring (Sauron's Theme)
  
• 2:54-3:19 Mordor Descending Third
  
• 3:04-3:14 The Ringwraiths
  
• 3:52-4:18 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 4:38-5:02 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 5:02-5:26 The Fellowship of the Ring
  

II-9 Gilraen's Memorial (5:01)

• 0:00-1:08 The Diminishment of the Elves
  
• 2:09-2:33 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 2:40-3:03 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 3:50-4:15 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 4:17-4:43 The Fellowship of the Ring
  

II-10 The Pass of Caradhras (5:04)

• 1:20-1:48 Dangerous Passes
  
• 1:50-2:06 Seduction of the Ring
  
• 2:37-3:07 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 2:40-2:58 Isengard/Orc Theme
  
• 3:08-3:36 Dangerous Passes
  

II-11 The Doors of Durin (6:03)

• 0:00-0:09 Dangerous Passes
  
• 0:37-0:56 History of the Ring
  
• 3:50-4:04 Moria
  

II-12 Moria (2:27)

II-13 Gollum (2:26)

• 0:33-1:08 The Pity of Gollum
  
• 1:48-2:23 A Hobbit's Understanding
  

II-14 Balin's Tomb (8:30)

• 0:13-1:13 Dwarrowdelf
  
• 1:27-1:42 Dwarrowdelf
  
• 5:55-6:01 Dwarrowdelf
  
• 7:20-7:27 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 7:27-7:44 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 7:44-8:25 Heroics of Aragorn
  

III-1 Khazad-Dum (8:00)

• 2:06-2:26 The Dark Places of the World
  
• 3:15-3:32 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 5:48-6:57 Gandalf's Farewells
  

III-2 Caras Galadhon (9:20)

• 0:00-1:08 Lothlorien
  
• 1:57-2:30 Lothlorien
  
• 3:12-3:22 Lothlorien
  

III-3 The Mirror of Galadriel (6:21)

• 0:00-1:04 Minas Tirith
  
• 1:07-2:16 Lothlorien
  
• 3:04-3:35 Threat of Mordor
  
• 3:10-3:35 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 3:24-3:35 Evil of the Ring (Sauron's Theme)
  
• 3:48-4:24 Journey There
  
• 4:45-4:54 Mordor Outline Figure
  
• 5:35-6:15 Journey There
  

III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai (11:32)

• 0:00-0:58 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 0:00-0:21 Isengard/Orc Theme
  
• 0:34-0:45 Isengard/Orc Theme
  
• 0:58-1:18 Lothlorien
  
• 2:27-2:34 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 4:54-5:18 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 6:21-6:26 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 6:58-7:24 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 7:00-7:24 Isengard/Orc Theme
  
• 7:31-7:34 Isengard/Orc Theme
  
• 7:32-7:42 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 8:36-9:05 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 9:06-9:12 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 10:31-11:06 History of the Ring
  

III-5 Parth Galen (9:13)

• 0:28-1:06 History of the Ring
  
• 1:45-2:22 Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 2:09-2:22 ***UNKNOWN THEME***
  
• 2:29-2:43 Fall Of Men
  
• 2:54-3:08 Fall Of Men
  
• 3:08-3:25 History of the Ring
  
• 3:25-3:45 Mordor Descending Third
  
• 3:25-3:45 The Ringwraiths
  
• 4:06-4:40 Seduction of the Ring
  
• 4:49-5:56 Heroics of Aragorn
  
• 7:00-7:16 Heroics of Aragorn
  
• 7:32-7:55 Heroics of Aragorn
  
• 7:55-8:53 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 7:59-8:31 Isengard/Orc Theme
  

III-6 The Departure of Boromir (5:29)

• 0:00-0:48 A Noble End
  
• 1:57-2:26 Heroics of Aragorn
  
• 2:44-2:59 A Noble End
  
• 3:45-3:58 Heroics of Aragorn
  
• 4:56-5:28 The Fellowship of the Ring
  

III-7 The Road Goes Ever On (Part 1) (5:58)

• 0:22-0:52 The Shire (Hymm Setting)
  
• 1:45-2:15 A Hobbit's Understanding
  
• 2:15-2:47 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 3:22-3:52 The Shire (Hymm Setting)
  
• 3:52-4:11 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 4:11-4:44 The Shire (Hymm Setting)
  
• 4:44-4:56 A Hobbit's Understanding
  
• 4:56-5:20 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 5:29-5:52 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  

III-8 May It Be - Enya (3:26)

III-9 The Road Goes Ever On (Part 2) (3:41)

• 0:00-0:14 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 0:14-0:30 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 0:30-1:22 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 1:22-1:44 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 1:44-2:14 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 2:14-2:56 Rivendell
  
• 2:56-3:12 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 3:12-3:38 The Fellowship of the Ring
  

The Two Towers

I-1 Glamdring (3:50)

• 0:31-0:49 History of the Ring
  
• 2:58-3:07 The Dark Places of the World
  

I-2 Elven Rope (2:19)

• 0:00-0:13 Rohan
  
• 1:10-1:25 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  

I-3 Lost in Emyn Muil (4:14)

• 0:00-0:27 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 0:34-0:46 The Pity of Gollum
  

I-4 My Precious (2:56)

• 0:03-0:23 The Pity of Gollum
  
• 0:23-0:39 History of Ring
  

I-5 Ugluk's Warriors (1:41)

• 0:43-0:56 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 1:18-1:38 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 1:18-1:26 Isengard/Orc Theme
  

I-6 The Three Hunters (6:12)

• 0:28-0:54 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 1:02-1:16 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 1:31-1:39 Rohan
  
• 2:19-2:58 The Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 2:22-2:46 The Evil of the Ring (Sauron's Theme)
  
• 2:58-3:41 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 2:58-3:23 Isengard/Orc Theme
  
• 3:57-4:06 Isengard/Orc Theme
  
• 4:20-4:25 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  

I-7 The Banishment of Eomer (3:54)

• 2:51-3:46 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 2:55-2:58 The Fellowship of the Ring
  
• 2:58-3:02 Isengard/Orc Theme
  
• 3:23-3:43 The Fellowship of the Ring
  

I-8 Night Camp (2:50)

• 0:00-0:23 Nature's Reclamation
  
• 1:46-2:02 Isengard Five Beat Pattern
  
• 1:46-1:54 Isengard/Orc Theme
  

I-9 The Plains of Rohan (4:14)

• 2:19-2:29 The Fellowship of the Ring
  

I-10 Fangorn (5:13)

• 3:28-4:18 Treebeard
  

I-11 The Dead Marshes (5:07)

I-12 "Wraiths on Wings" (2:07)

• 1:03-1:25 The Threat Of Mordor
  
• 1:12-1:25 The Ringwraiths
  
• 1:36-1:46 The Ringwraiths
  
• 1:36-1:46 The Threat of Mordor
  

I-13 Gandalf the White (6:47)

• 0:00-0:33 Treebeard
  

I-14 The Dream of Trees (1:54)

• 1:12-1:23 The Shire (Pensive Setting)
  
• 1:33-1:46 Treebeard
  

I-15 The Heir of Numenor (6:50)

• 2:16-2:28 The Evil of the Ring (Sauron's Theme)
  
• 2:16-2:28 The Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 3:35-3:41 The Mordor Skip Beat
  
• 5:18-5:26 The History of The Ring
  

I-16 Ent-draught (2:53)

• 0:20-0:31 Treebeard
  

Some areas that need the most corrections:

I get all of the various Shire and Hobbit themes mixed up sometimes, so I'm sure there's mistakes in those areas.

"Moria" must be played more than just the one time, but for some reason I just don't hear it in any of the tracks set in Moria.

The Heroics of Aragorn, the Mordor Skip Beat and a few others are problem themes for me too.

One last note: Please don't copy and paste my work to another website. Just link to this posting! If you really need to use it on another website, please ask me first. Thanks!

Copyright 2012 Jason LeBlanc

[Jay 41,550]

Howard Shore's The Lord of The Rings

A theme breakdown of where you can find each performance of each theme

01. Lothlorien

• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 0:05-0:30
  
• FOTR III-2 Caras Galadhon 0:00-1:08
  
• FOTR III-2 Caras Galadhon 1:57-2:30
  
• FOTR III-2 Caras Galadhon 3:12-3:22
  
• FOTR III-3 The Mirror of Galadriel 1:07-2:16
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 0:58-1:18
  

02. The History of the Ring

• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 0:40-1:18
  
• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 4:05-4:18
  
• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 4:55-5:23
  
• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 6:39-7:08
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 4:29-5:05
  
• FOTR I-8 A Conspiracy Unmasked 2:25-3:01
  
• FOTR II-7 The Council of Elrond Assembles 3:22-3:28
  
• FOTR II-11 The Doors of Durin 0:37-0:56
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 10:31-11:06
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 0:28-1:06
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 3:08-3:25
  

03. The Mordor Skip Beat

• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 1:26-1:55
  
• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 2:13-2:17
  
• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 2:24-2:40
  
• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 3:23-3:52
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 6:17-6:22
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 6:37-6:42
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 6:48-7:02
  
• FOTR I-11 Saruman the White 0:12-0:31
  
• FOTR I-12 A Shortcut to Mushrooms 2:22-2:47
  
• FOTR I-12 A Shortcut to Mushrooms 2:52-3:42
  
• FOTR I-14 The Nazgul 0:54-1:06
  
• FOTR II-3 Give Up the Halfling 1:47-2:19
  
• FOTR II-3 Give Up the Halfling 2:47-3:20
  
• FOTR III-3 The Mirror of Galadriel 3:10-3:35
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 1:45-2:22
  

04. ***UNKNOWN THEME***

• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 1:42-1:55
  
• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 3:22-3:52
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 2:09-2:22
  

05. Mordor Descending Third

• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 2:00-2:12
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 2:59-3:14
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 5:50-6:17
  
• FOTR I-8 A Conspiracy Unmasked 1:01-1:10
  
• FOTR I-12 A Shortcut to Mushrooms 1:43-1:53
  
• FOTR I-13 Strider 2:12-2:19
  
• FOTR II-1 Weathertop 0:18-0:31
  
• FOTR II-7 The Council of Elrond Assembles 3:36-3:55
  
• FOTR II-8 The Great Eye 2:54-3:19
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 3:25-3:45
  

06. The Ringwraiths

• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 2:00-2:12
  
• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 2:17-2:46
  
• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 3:00-3:12
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 6:22-6:30
  
• FOTR I-12 A Shortcut to Mushrooms 2:02-2:17
  
• FOTR I-12 A Shortcut to Mushrooms 2:52-2:55
  
• FOTR I-12 A Shortcut to Mushrooms 3:00-3:10
  
• FOTR I-12 A Shortcut to Mushrooms 3:12-3:35
  
• FOTR I-14 The Nazgul 0:54-1:16
  
• FOTR I-14 The Nazgul 1:17-1:32
  
• FOTR II-1 Weathertop 0:31-1:10
  
• FOTR II-3 Give Up the Halfling 2:47-3:27
  
• FOTR II-8 The Great Eye 3:04-3:14
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 3:25-3:45
  

07. The Evil of the Ring (Sauron's Theme)

• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 2:13-2:17
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 5:53-6:02
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 6:16-6:22
  
• FOTR II-8 The Great Eye 2:54-3:06
  
• FOTR III-3 The Mirror of Galadriel 3:24-3:35
  

08. The Fall of Men

• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 3:12-3:22
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 2:29-2:43
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 2:54-3:08
  

09. Rivendell

• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 4:19-4:26
  
• FOTR II-5 Rivendell 0:22-1:02
  
• FOTR II-5 Rivendell 2:26-2:48
  
• FOTR II-6 The Sword That Was Broken 0:10-0:39
  
• FOTR II-6 The Sword That Was Broken 0:47-1:02
  
• FOTR II-6 The Sword That Was Broken 1:53-2:27
  
• FOTR II-7 The Council of Elrond Assembles 0:00-0:24
  
• FOTR III-9 The Road Goes Ever On 2:14-2:56
  

10. The Pity of Gollum

• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 5:52-6:09
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 1:45-1:55
  
• FOTR I-8 A Conspiracy Unmasked 1:41-1:56
  
• FOTR I-8 A Conspiracy Unmasked 3:22-3:30
  
• FOTR I-8 A Conspiracy Unmasked 3:40-3:54
  
• FOTR II-13 Gollum 0:33-1:08
  

11. Nameless Fear

• FOTR I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All 6:13-6:38
  

12. The Shire (Pensive Setting)

• FOTR I-2 The Shire 0:00-0:22
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 0:00-0:04
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 0:47-1:05
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 4:01-4:30
  
• FOTR I-4 Very Old Friends 0:00-0:23
  
• FOTR I-4 Very Old Friends 2:41-3:03
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 3:22-3:57
  
• FOTR I-8 A Conspiracy Unmasked 0:00-0:20
  
• FOTR I-8 A Conspiracy Unmasked 5:33-5:46
  
• FOTR I-9 Three Is Company 1:26-1:40
  
• FOTR I-11 Saruman the White 0:00-0:07
  
• FOTR II-5 Rivendell 0:00-0:04
  
• FOTR II-5 Rivendell 2:12-2:26
  
• FOTR II-8 The Great Eye 4:38-5:02
  
• FOTR II-9 Gilraen's Memorial 2:09-2:33
  
• FOTR II-9 Gilraen's Memorial 3:50-4:15
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 8:36-9:05
  
• FOTR III-7 The Road Goes Ever On 2:15-2:47
  
• FOTR III-7 The Road Goes Ever On 4:56-5:20
  
• FOTR III-7 The Road Goes Ever On 5:29-5:52
  
• FOTR III-9 The Road Goes Ever On 0:00-0:14
  
• FOTR III-9 The Road Goes Ever On 0:30-1:22
  
• FOTR III-9 The Road Goes Ever On 1:44-2:14
  
• FOTR III-9 The Road Goes Ever On 2:56-3:12
  

13. The Fellowship of the Ring

• FOTR I-2 The Shire 0:24-0:54
  
• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 6:42-6:45
  
• FOTR I-9 Three Is Company 1:40-1:57
  
• FOTR I-11 Saruman the White 0:12-0:31
  
• FOTR I-14 The Nazgul 2:15-2:44
  
• FOTR I-14 The Nazgul 3:02-3:24
  
• FOTR I-14 The Nazgul 3:48-3:55
  
• FOTR I-14 The Nazgul 4:03-4:09
  
• FOTR II-8 The Great Eye 3:52-4:18
  
• FOTR II-8 The Great Eye 5:02-5:26
  
• FOTR II-9 Gilraen's Memorial 2:40-3:03
  
• FOTR II-9 Gilraen's Memorial 4:17-4:43
  
• FOTR II-14 Balin's Tomb 7:27-7:44
  
• FOTR III-1 Khazad-Dum 3:15-3:32
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 2:27-2:34
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 4:54-5:18
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 6:21-6:26
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 9:06-9:12
  
• FOTR III-6 The Departure of Boromir 4:56-5:28
  
• FOTR III-7 The Road Goes Ever On 3:52-4:11
  
• FOTR III-9 The Road Goes Ever On 0:14-0:30
  
• FOTR III-9 The Road Goes Ever On 1:22-1:44
  
• FOTR III-9 The Road Goes Ever On 3:12-3:38
  

14. The Hobbit Two Step Figure

• FOTR I-2 The Shire 0:58-1:18
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 2:59-3:17
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 3:42-3:52
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 3:53-4:01
  

15. The Hobbit Skip Beat

• FOTR I-2 The Shire 1:18-1:29
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 2:08-2:30
  

16. The End Cap

• FOTR I-2 The Shire 1:29-1:34
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 3:37-3:40
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 3:51-3:52
  

17. The Shire (Rural Setting)

• FOTR I-2 The Shire 1:34-2:25
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 1:10-1:45
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 3:17-3:37
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 3:42-3:52
  

18. The Hobbit Outline Figure

• FOTR I-3 Bag End 0:43-0:47
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 1:06-1:10
  
• FOTR I-3 Bag End 2:54-2:59
  
• FOTR I-4 Very Old Friends 0:23-0:52
  
• FOTR I-4 Very Old Friends 1:33-1:40
  

19. The Shire (Hymm Setting)

• FOTR I-6 Farewell Dear Bilbo 0:15-0:39
  
• FOTR II-5 Rivendell 1:02-1:44
  
• FOTR II-5 Rivendell 2:49-3:24
  
• FOTR III-7 The Road Goes Ever On 0:22-0:52
  
• FOTR III-7 The Road Goes Ever On 3:22-3:52
  
• FOTR III-7 The Road Goes Ever On 4:11-4:44
  

20. A Hobbit's Understanding

• FOTR I-6 Farewell Dear Bilbo 0:39-0:55
  
• FOTR II-5 Rivendell 1:44-2:12
  
• FOTR II-13 Gollum 1:48-2:23
  
• FOTR III-7 The Road Goes Ever On 1:45-2:15
  
• FOTR III-7 The Road Goes Ever On 4:44-4:56
  

21. The Threat of Mordor

• FOTR I-7 Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe 8:02-8:06
  
• FOTR I-8 A Conspiracy Unmasked 5:51-6:00
  
• FOTR I-11 Saruman the White 0:31-0:38
  
• FOTR I-11 Saruman the White 1:39-1:48
  
• FOTR I-12 A Shortcut to Mushrooms 1:25-1:37
  
• FOTR I-12 A Shortcut to Mushrooms 2:47-2:52
  
• FOTR I-12 A Shortcut to Mushrooms 3:42-3:57
  
• FOTR I-14 The Nazgul 1:06-1:16
  
• FOTR II-1 Weathertop 0:31-1:10
  
• FOTR II-1 Weathertop 1:22-1:34
  
• FOTR II-2 The Caverns of Isengard 0:49-1:02
  
• FOTR II-3 Give Up the Halfling 3:48-3:51
  
• FOTR II-8 The Great Eye 1:29-1:36
  
• FOTR III-3 The Mirror of Galadriel 3:04-3:35
  

22. Seduction of the Ring

• FOTR I-9 Three Is Company 0:09-0:34
  
• FOTR II-10 The Pass of Caradhras 1:50-2:06
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 4:06-4:40
  

23. Journey There

• FOTR I-9 Three Is Company 0:51-1:25
  
• FOTR III-3 The Mirror of Galadriel 3:48-4:24
  
• FOTR III-3 The Mirror of Galadriel 5:35-6:15
  

24. Mordor Outline Figure

• FOTR I-11 Saruman the White 3:45-4:05
  
• FOTR III-3 The Mirror of Galadriel 4:45-4:54
  

25. Heroics of Aragorn

• FOTR I-13 Strider 1:43-1:48
  
• FOTR II-2 The Caverns of Isengard 0:15-0:44
  
• FOTR II-14 Balin's Tomb 7:44-8:25
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 4:49-5:56
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 7:00-7:16
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 7:32-7:55
  
• FOTR III-6 The Departure of Boromir 1:57-2:26
  
• FOTR III-6 The Departure of Boromir 3:45-3:58
  

26. Evil Times

• FOTR I-14 The Nazgul 5:12-5:56
  
• FOTR II-6 The Sword That Was Broken 2:44-3:31
  

27. Isengard Five Beat Pattern

• FOTR II-2 The Caverns of Isengard 1:27-2:09
  
• FOTR II-2 The Caverns of Isengard 2:35-3:52
  
• FOTR II-10 The Pass of Caradhras 2:37-3:07
  
• FOTR II-14 Balin's Tomb 7:20-7:27
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 0:00-0:58
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 6:58-7:24
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 7:32-7:42
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 7:55-8:53
  

28. Isengard/Orc Theme

• FOTR II-2 The Caverns of Isengard 1:34-2:02
  
• FOTR II-2 The Caverns of Isengard 2:44-3:28
  
• FOTR II-10 The Pass of Caradhras 2:40-2:58
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 0:00-0:21
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 0:34-0:45
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 7:00-7:24
  
• FOTR III-4 The Fighting Uruk Hai 7:31-7:34
  
• FOTR III-5 Parth Galen 7:59-8:31
  

29. Nature's Reclamation

• FOTR II-2 The Caverns of Isengard 2:04-2:35
  

30. Arwen

• FOTR II-3 Give Up the Halfling 0:00-0:41
  
• FOTR II-3 Give Up the Halfling 3:59-4:19
  

31. Realm of Gondor (In Decline)

• FOTR II-8 The Great Eye 0:00-0:54
  
• FOTR II-8 The Great Eye 1:18-1:25
  

32. The Power Of Mordor

• FOTR II-8 The Great Eye 1:37-2:03
  

33. The Diminishment of the Elves

• FOTR II-9 Gilraen's Memorial 0:00-1:08
  

34. Dangerous Passes

• FOTR II-10 The Pass of Caradhras 1:20-1:48
  
• FOTR II-10 The Pass of Caradhras 3:08-3:36
  
• FOTR II-11 The Doors of Durin 0:00-0:09
  

35. Moria

• FOTR II-11 The Doors of Durin 3:50-4:04
  

36. Dwarrowdelf

• FOTR II-14 Balin's Tomb 0:13-1:13
  
• FOTR II-14 Balin's Tomb 1:27-1:42
  
• FOTR II-14 Balin's Tomb 5:55-6:01
  

37. The Dark Places of the World

• FOTR III-1 Khazad-Dum 2:06-2:26
  

38. Gandalf's Farewells

• FOTR III-1 Khazad-Dum 5:48-6:57
  

39. Minas Tirith

• FOTR III-3 The Mirror of Galadriel 0:00-1:04
  

40. A Noble End

• FOTR III-6 The Departure of Boromir 0:00-0:48
  
• FOTR III-6 The Departure of Boromir 2:44-2:59

41. Rohan

42. Gollum's Menace

43. The Way To Mordor

44. The Ents

45. The White Rider (In Nature)

46. The White Rider (In The Fellowship)

47. The Shire (Lullaby Setting)

48. The Fate of the Ring

49. The Shire (Playful Setting)

50. The Hobbit's Antics

51. Eowyn

52. Grima Wormtongue

53. Eowyn and Theoden

54. The Mumakil

55. The Fellowship in Rohan

56. Evenstar

57. The Cruelty of the Orcs

58. Eowyn and Aragorn

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,738]

I-1 Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All (7:16)

   * 1:42-1:55 ***UNKNOWN THEME***

For me this is the Domination Of The Ring theme.

As we first hear it in the prologue as Sauron (with the One Ring) pillages and burns everything in Middle Earth.

we hear it again when the Ring has taken hold completely over Boromir and he tries to take the ring from Frodo.

It's a theme for the Ring/Sauron asserting it's power in it's most malevolent form, in contrast to the more elegant and seductive sounds of the boys choir and the actual ring theme .

[crocodile 8,945]

It's great that Howard Shore can write 80 themes for LOTR, but, really, is it a sign of creativity or maybe lack of it?

Karol

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,738]

What exactly do you mean?

[crocodile 8,945]

I think that, ironically, it doesn't help to tell a story. It is merely a traffic coordination in the end. These films don't need 80 themes.

Karol

[gkgyver 1,647]

It's great that Howard Shore can write 80 themes for LOTR, but, really, is it a sign of creativity or maybe lack of it?

This is the first time I've heard someone interpreting a ton of themes as a sign of lacking creativity. Keeping 80 themes and motifs interesting and in a constant state of flux over the course of 10 hours + is anything but lacking creativity.

I think that, ironically, it doesn't help to tell a story. It is merely a traffic coordination in the end. These films don't need 80 themes.  

No film NEEDS themes. But it's a great way of telling a story WITHOUT the film. That's indeed what sets LOTR apart.

By the way, that's what themes are: traffic coordination.

[King Mark 3,804]

8O

[crocodile 8,945]

Maybe, but doesn't it make music less... musical? Too many themes, I mean. When they revisit familiar elements of the story, coresponding thamatic ideas also appear, right? To bring this element of familiarity. And it even works in FOTR, but in the case of TTT and ROTK Shore seems more concerned about thematic consistency than sense of musical fluency and narrative. This is weird because that is what themes are for - to tell the story. Besides, there are numerous scenes in the trilogy (most notaly the big ones) when music is telling us things that we can see already on the screen. Many regular moviegoers that I know complained about overscoring of LOTR trilogy, especially parts two and three. I have to agree. After 2 hours I suddenly loose interest and many aspects of the film seem funny. I blame music for that.

Karol

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,738]

Then by all means stay out of a thread that deals with LOTR's themes.

Goodbye!

[crocodile 8,945]

No! 8O

Karol, who wants to destroy every LOTR related thread in this world!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,738]

Why would you wanna do a thing like that?

[gkgyver 1,647]

Something strange's at work here. Some evil gives speed to this creature and sets his will against us.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,738]

It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing.

[crocodile 8,945]

Why would you wanna do a thing like that?

POWER!!! UNLIMITED POWER!!! Whoops! Wrong movie.

Karol

[Jay 41,550]

For me this is the Domination Of The Ring theme.

As we first hear it in the prologue as Sauron (with the One Ring) pillages and burns everything in Middle Earth.

we hear it again when the Ring has taken hold completely over Boromir and he tries to take the ring from Frodo.

It's a theme for the Ring/Sauron asserting it's power in it's most malevolent form, in contrast to the more elegant and seductive sounds of the boys choir and the actual ring theme .

It's interesting that Doug doesn't point it out in his notes though, isn't it?

Does it appear in ROTK at all, do you know? I haven't begun to delve into that one yet...

[diskobolus 3]

Jason, this is really cool, I'll be following this. IMO the most useful thing missing here is a musical transcription of each theme / theme snippet here. Then people can look at those notes while going through the breakdown and have it in their heads.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,738]

It's interesting that Doug doesn't point it out in his notes though, isn't it?

Does it appear in ROTK at all, do you know?  I haven't begun to delve into that one yet...

Obviously Doug is not as astute as I am.

or he's just saving it for his book.

[crocodile 8,945]

Which is coming out for a few years now.

Karol

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,738]

Isn't it supposed to come out with the ROTK set?

[crocodile 8,945]

It was supposed to come out this year as liner notes of FOTR: CR woulkd suggest.

Karol

[Mr. Breathmask 582]

I think early plans were to release all three scores within the span of a year. FotR in December 2005, RotK before the end of 2006, and TTT somewhere in between. But it appears this has been quite the undertaking (understandably), and it's taking just slightly longer.

[crocodile 8,945]

No matter what I think of actual quality of the scores (which are only good for me), I have to admit that they do extremely good job with these releases. I'm glad they take their time to do it properly.

Karol, who ordered TTT: CR just to fuel his hate towards LOTR

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,738]

It's forgivable, it's an epic amount of work that has to be done right.

As far as I'm concerned they can spend another 24 months on ROTK alone....

[Jay 41,550]

Jason, this is really cool, I'll be following this. IMO the most useful thing missing here is a musical transcription of each theme / theme snippet here. Then people can look at those notes while going through the breakdown and have it in their heads.

Thanks!

A musical transcription like you describe wouldn't be quite as useful to someone like me, who can't read music!

However, I'm sure that will be in Doug's book (I mean, they're already all in the TCR liner notes).

I think a theme list like I made won't be in Doug's book, which is partially why I did it.

I just got The Two Towers and I'm already done with the first 2 tracks!

[crocodile 8,945]

It's already out?

Karol

[sandman609 0]

Fantastic. I've been wishing for something like this for a while now. Thanks for the effort. I'll definitely be watching this one closely

[pi 0]

can u write each one out in sheet music for me? a few bars

[Henry B 51]

Wow. Is anything in Rings not a theme? How about that music when the octopus-type creature lunges out of the water at the Fellowship as they escape into the Mines? Chromatic stuff; I liked it.

[Marian Schedenig 9,801]

Maybe, but doesn't it make music less... musical? Too many themes, I mean.

I guess that's what the Viennese said about Wagner 100 some years ago.

[Red 75]

"There are too many notes."

[ChrisAfonso 210]

Jason, this is really cool, I'll be following this. IMO the most useful thing missing here is a musical transcription of each theme / theme snippet here. Then people can look at those notes while going through the breakdown and have it in their heads.

You obviously don't have the Fellowship Complete Recordings set, do you?

[Dean1700 4]

I think early plans were to release all three scores within the span of a year. FotR in December 2005, RotK before the end of 2006, and TTT somewhere in between. But it appears this has been quite the undertaking (understandably), and it's taking just slightly longer.

Slighly??????

[Incanus 5,848]

Wow. Is anything in Rings not a theme? How about that music when the octopus-type creature lunges out of the water at the Fellowship as they escape into the Mines? Chromatic stuff; I liked it.

Yeap Watcher in the Water has a theme of its own. These specific creature encounters received also individual thematic material. That may not be apparent as the other themes they do not appear again (e.g. Cave Troll, Watcher, Balrog (whose music returns in the first scene of TTT)).

[crumbs 15,304]

I only agree with ROTK being overscored. Way too much music, and a lot of the time just seems like a jarring combination of disconnected themes, as he's created so many. He goes from a theme for Rohan, to a Hobbit theme, to an Isengard theme, to a, blah blah blah etc theme within the space of minutes. It's disharmonious and doesn't flow anywhere near as well as it would if he was a little more conscious about musical harmony than making sure every single person/object/creature/place/emotion/plant/weather condition/event/action had its own personal theme/motif.

[crocodile 8,945]

Yes, that's exactly what I meant. It's like a patchwork in the end with no emotional content.

Karol

[Incanus 5,848]

Why do you not give it a rest already?

[crocodile 8,945]

1. Because it's a DISCUSSION forum. And I was going to start a healthy discussion.

2. Because I feel it is relevant to the topic.

3. Because no one brought it up yet. To my knowledge. Everyone seem to to think that LOTR trilogy is a masterpiece.

4. Because there is room for more than one interpretation of movie scoring. And LOTR is a extreme example of certain philosophy. Is it effective enough?

5. Because no one gave me a relevant contradictory argument to change my mind.

You don't want a discussion? Fine. I won't try to contribute to this topic anything worthwhile again.

Karol

[publicist 4,647]

3. Because no one brought it up yet. To my knowledge. Everyone seem to to think that LOTR trilogy is a masterpiece.

4. Because there is room for more than one interpretation of movie scoring. And LOTR is a extreme example of certain philosophy. Is it effective enough?

Venting off...that's what it's all about, isn't it? While i'm certainly not guilty of overestimating an ambitious, but ultimately not very musical thrilling work like 'LOTR', i have to say that the 'arguments' you (and others) bring up are simply hogwash.

This nonsense about themes stumbling together without musical flow...just point the unknowing towards the specific moments you refer to, would you?

Or let's start with something simpler...semantics...what 'certain philosophy of scoring' is 'LOTR' an extreme example of? And if you're so lofty describing your naysaying as 'interpretation', then for god's sake, do at least write some proper lines about these scores!

What gets on my nerves isn't even this wishy-washy way of letting people know that 'LOTR' sucks and you have some kind of 'proof' for that...it's the fact that there are enough discussable shortcomings to Shore's composing abilities (drab suspense made up of half-tone steps, simple rhythmic devices, lots of organ points, some of the themes so basic they could mean and portray anything) that it just pains me when people just take the most outlandish argument instead without any foundation.

[Mr. Breathmask 582]

We're just discussing music, people. Don't take it personal.

[crocodile 8,945]

This nonsense about themes stumbling together without musical flow...just point the unknowing towards the specific moments you refer to, would you?

It's not really about any specific moments, but score as a whole. As I said earlier it's interesting to observe the thematic construction of Shore's work. However, most of these ideas remain unnoticed when expierencing films and that's the problem. As we all know themes are used in film scoring to bring an element of familiarity and to support the narrative. In most cases a couple of musical ideas would be just enough for a picture. LOTR trilogy employs 80 themes (or so). Are they all essential to tell the story? Does each idea bring a unique new element that enriches a way that a music and picture work together? And I mean a DIRECT LINK between these two, much like shark ostinato in Jaws or a three-note motif developed throughout Sings. I strongly feel that if certain element doesn't DIRECTLY work with a picture it is irrelevant what it is for. There is no real point of doing four themes for hobbits alone. One would be good enough. Heroics of Aragorn theme doesn't do anything special in the picture, it is completely indistinct for me. As is Noble End, The Fall of Men, Dangerous Passes, Evil Times, The Journey There and others. I understand what they're for (Doug Adams' notes wouldn't let me to forget), but their absence wouldn't change a thing in a way a viewer perceives the story. And now we have 80 themes and someone has to use them, right? So Shore creates his web of thematic relationships. The thing is that it somehow (I would argue though) works as a music, but I'm not so sure about it being as effective as a film score. You see, I think that film music needs some air to breathe. It isn't necessairly essential to quote all themes in a scene, where certain corresponding elements from the story appear. There is something more important than intellectual consistency of the story and it's emotional consistency and pacing. It is like a ballet. Scenes need to flow. And LOTR are long films and because of that is it harder for creators to sustain audiences' attention for entire 3+ hours. And employing several short motifs instead of one coherent unthematic phrase doesn't help. Bernard Herrmann understood that, John Williams does also. I have a problem with watching LOTR from start to finish, partly because music doesn't seem to help a narrative. I don't feel a dramatic arc. And supporting it is the most important goal of a filom score! I don't say that LOTR films couldn't use themes. I say too many of them makes these films cumbersome and ultimately not as effective. And I talked to many people that don't listen to film music, who pointed it out for me. Their opinion is valid because they represent majority of filmgoers, not a obsessed small group that would prefer their favourite themes quotes over a overall effectiveness of a score. This is a problem of many film music reviews (and a few FSM podcasts also). Have you tried ever to score a film?

Or let's start with something simpler...semantics...what 'certain philosophy of scoring' is 'LOTR' an extreme example of? And if you're so lofty describing your naysaying as 'interpretation', then for god's sake, do at least write some proper lines about these scores!

It's an extreme example of leitmotif approach. I thought it is clear.

What gets on my nerves isn't even this wishy-washy way of letting people know that 'LOTR' sucks and you have some kind of 'proof' for that...

First of all I think that LOTR score are good, but that's just it. I have all OST's and will purchase TTT CR (I have FOTR).

Karol, who thinks that too many things are taken for granted when it comes to actual scoring of a film.

[publicist 4,647]

We're just discussing music, people. Don't take it personal.

Adding a bit of bite to discussions is allowed, i hope.

As to what Karol said: i still think you're just reacting to the first post and try to model your arguments after these (irrelevant i think) supposed themes...i read what you've just written, i fail to see any proof in it. If nobody would've told you about 4 themes for the hobbits, you would never have realized they were there in the first place.

What is called 'themes' are, for the most part, nothing more than rather short motives. Shore may have intended more with them, but that's the way the come out in the picture. So his work method isn't very different from the Williams or Goldsmith method of scoring, he just can't write 'great' melodies....or isn't allowed to 'intrude' that much. To put it simpler: when Goldsmith introduces a new rhythmic cell into a cue, nobody would call it a theme, but a natural musical progression. These gazillions 'LOTR' themes, at least to my ears, are often not much more than that.

Apart from the Hobbit/Fellowship/Isengard-music ( or the terrible Orff-cues in the first film), and maybe some setpieces here and there, the problem is that there are NOT ENOUGH characteristic musical statements...just a big wash of sound with lots of choirs. It's nice enough, we agree on that point, but to ripple on these scores because they do, as is the gist of your statement, TOO MUCH, is just wrong.

[crocodile 8,945]

There is no proof, there is only opinion based on my subjective expierence with these scores. And opinion, by its very nature, can't be wrong.

I enjoy these scores quite a bit. I just don't consider them masterpieces. And, I feel, there is a reason why they aren't as effective with me. While interesting on a intellectual level, they fail for me on a emotional one. I believe that dense thematic construction has something to do with that.

Karol

[robthehand 3]

They are interesting on a intellectual level, but fail for me on a emotional one.

It's the other way round for me.

[Mr. Breathmask 582]

And opinion, by its very nature, can't be wrong.

It is my opinion that they can!

Seriously, though, I do enjoy these scores very much, particularly because they take a longer time to develop ideas. The volume of the work alone makes it a very special effort in my eyes.

[publicist 4,647]

There is no proof, there is only opinion based on my subjective expierence with these scores. And opinion, by its very nature, can't be wrong.

Of course can opinion be wrong. I.e. an uninformed opinion.

But if you offer a thesis (which you did), you should be able to back it up. I know, i know, it's internet and people write the biggest dung without ever being taken to task for it - still, i think it's viable to challenge from time to time and i still think you just want to say the 'LOTR'-scores are overrated and are searching for the right argument why.

[Ollie 1,232]

For an overated score these three sure do get quite a bit of discussion, and in-depth I might add.

[crocodile 8,945]

Every new Zimmer or Horner score also ignites quite a debate, so it doesn't really say much.

But if you offer a thesis (which you did), you should be able to back it up. I know, i know, it's internet and people write the biggest dung without ever being taken to task for it - still, i think it's viable to challenge from time to time and i still think you just want to say the 'LOTR'-scores are overrated and are searching for the right argument why.

Are they overrated? Sure they are. But maybe my problem with these scores is linked to unmemorable, as you pointed out, thematic ideas. I have to admit that I just don't get most of Shore's scores. They don't work for me in any shape or form, nor in the picture nor on the album. Is it because I can't grasp their level of complexity? I don't know. I don't have such problems with most modern concert music like Penderecki's output or Schonberg's. They immidietly find their way to me. Well, most of the time. Something tells me that if music doesn't speak for itself and it has to be explained by ther liner notes to be fully appreciated, then something's not right with it. And when it is a film score for a blockbuster film, it's even worse.

Karol, whose favourite Shore score is by far The Aviator, but it is sadly underused in its picture.

[Ollie 1,232]

Nowhere near as in-depth as LOTR.

[crocodile 8,945]

Probably not, but it is pretty intense otherwise.

Karol