The Lord of the Rings: Motion Picture Trilogy Soundtrack (3CD & 18 Trading Cards)
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Free Music Notes for The Lord of the Rings: Motion Picture Trilogy Soundtrack (3CD & 18 Trading Cards)
Free Music Review: Amazing, awe inspiring and the stuff of legends!
Hit: 5 Stars
What can I say that hasn't already been said about Howard Shore's magnificent score for the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy? A soundtrack can define the whole atmosphere of a film, and this fully orchestrated work certainly does that with sweep, splendor and wonder, alternately humanizing (hobbit-izing?) the characters, imbuing the landscape with magic and capturing the world-shaking impact of events of mythic proportions. And this was no easy task considering the iconoclastic status of the story and the superb quality of Peter Jackson's filmmaking. This is a truly a soundtrack for the ages--a fitting accompaniment to a film for the ages! Every aspect of life, from the extreme to the mundane, is captured in this music. Listening to it can make every remembered moment of the movie come alive again in your mind, from the most horrific battle to the smallest moment of humor or kindness. I think "The Fellowship of the Ring" is my favorite of the three "Lord of the Rings" soundtracks. I enjoy the juxtaposition of the lighter moments, like the sweet, simple hobbit theme, with the grander and more menacing sections of the music. What impressed me most as I watched "The Fellowship of the Ring" was how scary the music was when the hobbits were being pursued. Those relentless drums and eerily screaming drums made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, even though I knew the story like the back of my hand and knew for a fact that the poor little heroes would manage to escape. But the music truly made me wonder otherwise ... Now that's good composition! And the fact that the filmmakers chose to include background music in so many of the scenes, almost continuously ... well, that's just good filmmaking! The other impressive thing about Howard Shore's score is how the voicing and the repeating musical motifs tie the whole thing together, like the finest of symphonies. In "The Two Towers" all the familiar themes from the first sound track return, reinvented as need be to link the films together while adapting to new developments in the action and the story. In this album, I particularly like the hardanger fiddle-infused theme for the Rohirrim, the Viking-like horse-riders of the steppes, and the ponderous, quirky music for Treebeard, the walking, talking tree. I would have enjoyed a bit more of these distinctive elements, which lend levity and diversity to a sometimes depressing and overwhelmingly intense body of music. Here, they make all-too-brief appearances, at least from a listener's point of view. But soundtracks are ultimately slaves to the script, and in conjunction with the film itself, the timing and phrasing of Shore's music is impeccable. Mysterious, menacing, folksy or heroic, the total effect is utterly convincing and utterly transporting. The battle scenes in "Return of the King" are incredible visuals, blending live action and computer-generated imagery so seamlessly and densely that it boggles the mind. But what would they be with only screams and snorts and scuffles to give them voice? It's Shore's frenetic, string-laden, brass-filled, drum-spurred fury that truly gives them life, waxing, waning and cueing the audience as to when the greatest menace is about to threaten the war-weary heroes. The musical themes from the first two movies continue to be developed here, wending their way in and out of expanded interpretations whose dense complexity rivals that of Tolkien's story, not to mention Peter Jackson's filmmaking itself. Jackson chose well when he picked Shore as his score writer. Very, very well! Make sure to get the extended edition DVDs of the movies themselves, with hours and hours of fascinating commentaries and behind-the-scenes documentaries about the making of the films. Truly a bargain at any price! For more seminal soundtracks, try John William's defining scores for the "Star Wars" series and Basil Poledouris's spectacular score for the original "Conan the Barbarian." You can hear more hardanger fiddle music (the inspiration for the Rohan/Rohirrim themes) in the work of Scandinavian fiddler Annbjorg Lien or any of the varied releases from the NorthSide label. Finally, for authentic music from bygone ages, why not try the real thing? There are many fine early music groups out there. Here's just a sampling: Anonymous 4 (pure-voiced sacred chant by four women), The Baltimore Consort (jaunty popular music from the Renaissance), David Munrow's Early Music Consort of London (simply perfection), Christian Mendoze's Musica Antiqua (lively, percussive Renaissance dance music), The Toronto Consort (great variety), Ensemble Unicorn (worlds of fun!), Wolgemut (brash buzzies and bagpipes with attitude), and the magical early/folk fusion of Cantiga and Burlap Lute. Have some fun with them and live your own fantasy!Free Music Review: The best score ever created. Impossible to match
Hit: 5 Stars
This score has wonderful mixture of all the types of musical dynamics every decent epic should incorperate. Haunting, dramatic, horrorfying, magical, comical, beautiful, emotional, bittersweet, I won't continue (unless you would like me to take up all my thousand word limit). Firstly, I would just like to say a massive thankyou to Howard Shore for this truly beautiful masterpiece. I never tire of the pureness of this music, because it is just so emotional and beautiful. Throughout the 3 brilliant soundtracks, the music itself takes you on a journey.Ok, enough of the mushy stuff (at least for now)!
The first Soundtrack covers the main pieces featured in "The Fellowship of the Ring". This score won the 2001 oscar for Best Original Score. It represents the lighter stories of the film, including the fun at The Shire ("Concerning Hobbits"), and the havens of Rivendell("Many Meetings", "Council of Elrond"). However it also plays some serious notes, describing the Fellowship's quest, and then the music becomes furious as it conveys Saraman and his blood-oozing orcs. The CD includes two stunning ballads by Enya ("Aniron", "May it Be"), who's music has always been closely related to Tolkien. In this you run the risk of sheading a few tears with some emotional twists in pieces including "The Bridge of Kazad-dum" and "The Breaking of the Fellowship", two of my favourite tracks.
The soundtrack for "The Two Towers" takes on a far more serious tone. At this point of the film, all the characters of the film find themselves in hopeless situations, and must rely on friendship, fellowship, and faith to guide them through the darkening days. There is a true element of heroism in this score and is very, very inspiring. Pieces in this fashion include "Forth Eorlingas", "Isengard Unleashed", and one of the gems of this soundtrack, "Samwise the Brave". However, my all-time favourite piece of this CD, and one of my favourites of the entire thing is "Evenstar" a swooning ballad, who's lyrics are in Elvish (much like many of the Choral instalments). To conclude the CD, is a haunting song called "Gollum's Song" which has a very unique melody. At first you feel slightly repelled by the piece, but after a listen or two it begins to grow on you. It's an amazing song with powerful lyrics.
And finally there is the "Return of the King", which received 2003's Oscars for Origianl Score, and Best Song. Here, the movie and music wraps up to an electrifying finale. Here, everything could go according to plan, or go disasterously wrong and the fall of all good would be swift and devastating. This is my favourite of the three as it is by far the most emotional. There are ALOT of tear jerkers in this one, including "The Black Gate Opens", a stunning peace depicting Frodo and Sam's crippling struggle up Mount Doom; "Twilight and Shadow", a fantastic piece which describes the emotions of the elf Arwen, and "The Grey Havens" which is a bittersweet, simply moving track, which would have to be one of favourite ultimate favourites of the entire thing. The best track on the CD is "The Return of the King" (fits doesnt it! :). Here, Shore, constructs a piece of music incorperating most of the differnt music themes of the trilogy: the "Fellowship" theme, the theme for "Gondor", beautiful choral themes of the Elves, and the loving melodies of the hobbits. It's a beautiful way to wrap up what has been a wonderful, legenderay and undoubtably heartwrenching adventure each character (and the audience of "Lord of the Rings") has been on these past three years. It features the flautest Sir James Galway and the singer Renee Fleming. The moving song by Annie Lennox called "Into the West" is a perfect ending to the 56-track masterpiece. This deservingly won the Oscar for Best Song.
In conclusion (OW my fingers are so sore!), these 3 CD's are filled with the best music ever, ever composed and will be remembered for years to come. So much determination and passion has been put into these scores, making the movie experience all the more unforgetable. From heart-lifting to heart-breaking, winner of 3 oscars, the "Lord of the Rings" Soundtrack is by the best score ever created. IMPOSSIBLE TO MATCH! :)
Free Music Review: Just listen and imagine the movie
Hit: 5 Stars
I thought this was a fantastic deal. Once again, thanks to Amazon we have a really good deal. I bought this because I'm a big LOTR fan and also because I wanted another excuse to get excited. The "trading cards" that come with these are okay. They are REALLY glossy, though. I also thought they should come in a separate case, because after they are opened they are all loose and are a bit of a mess to put back into the cd case. And if you don't put them back in, there's empty space and the 3 cds rattle around. But otherwise, really nice pictures.The soundtracks are great. While listening to The Fellowship, I could just picture scenes from the movie. And of course, being the first movie, it has the standard music that we come to associate with Lord of the Rings. I really liked the cd booklet, too, and not just because of the pretty designs. It provides the words that are sung in some of the songs in Elvish (which is usually how it's sung) and the translation in English. It also provides the words to Enya's May It Be.
The Two Towers is also a superb cd. Emiliana Torrini's version of Gollum's Song is haunting but very catchy. I found myself stuck with that in my head for the rest of the day after I listened to it. I was a bit disappointed with the cd booklet. It still had the Elvish words and translations, but it didn't seem like it had them all. Also, it didn't say which lyrics belonged to which track (since the title of the lyrics is different from the track title it was a little confusing). But the music is great. I wasn't as familiar with Two Towers melodies, but I'm getting there.
And finally: The Return of the King. Absolutely wonderful. This cd has more vocal music than the Two Towers. But like Two Towers' booklet ROTK's booklet didn't specify the track of the lyrics. Also, it did not provide the lyrics to The Stewart of Gondor (sung by Billy Boyd who plays Pippin and was featured in the movie). So I just listened to the part where he sings until I knew the words and wrote them down. (I apologize if I got any words wrong)
Home is behind
The world ahead
There are many paths to tread
Through shadow
Till the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight
Mist and shadow
Cloud and shade
All shall fade
All shall fade
There it is for whomever wants it. I also wanted to remark on "Into the West". It is one of the most moving songs I've ever heard, and if you know the story well and read the lyrics it is the most fitting out of any of the songs written for the movie. Especially the line "The ships have come to carry you home" and "a light on the water/grey ships pass/into the west". I'm not a really big fan of Annie Lennox and her voice, but the song is still good.
Now as I've written this review I mostly pointed out things I didn't like (with a few good, but not specific points), and yet I gave this product 5 stars. Well just think for yourself, if the only bad parts are a few instances in the cd booklet, the rest of the product must rock. And it does. If you are a movie fan, buy it. It's worth it. Plus, listened to ROTK's soundtrack can help you wait for the movie on dvd on May 25!!
Free Music Review: A new age of movie score. Howard Shore is at his best.
Hit: 5 Stars
Lord of the Rings Trilogy Soundtrack is one of the best epic motion picture soundtracks ever created. The musics bring the scenes from the movie whenever they are played. The themes are well-made and give different emotions. One can quickly remember the scene of the Bridge of Khazad Dum, Lothlorien, Gondor - Minas Tirith, the Dark Riders, the Rohirin, Battle of Helm's Deep, or even the happy scenes of the Hobbits. Each CD consists of at least one or two beautiful vocals of female voices. All soundtracks are composed beautifully by the great composer Howard Shore.
Disc 1 The Fellowship of the Ring - "Concerning Hobbits" gives you the happy the life of Hobbits, which I really adore. "The bridge of Khazad Dum" gives you the frightening scenes of the deep of Moria, consisting of vocals of football players "hoof...hoof". "The Breaking of the Fellowship" is emotional, featuring the voice of Edward Ross and choir boys.
Disc 2 The Two Towers - The theme of the Rohirin is beautifully played, especially "The Riders of Rohan", "The King of the Golden Hall" and "Helm's Deep." "Evenstar" is beautifully sung by Isabel Bayrakdarian, which includes the Elvish 'Teliach Ú i vethed nā i onnad. Si boe ú-dhanna. Ae ú-esteli, esteliach nad' meaning 'This is not the end...it is the beginning. You cannot falter now. If you don't trust [this], trust nothing else.' "Forth Forlingas" and "Isengard Unleashed" are very dramatic and are my favorites.
Disc 3 The Return of the King - "Minas Tirith" and "The White Tree" brings the scenes of Gondor and the Minas Tirith city. "Steward of Gondor" begins with the theme of Gondor and is very emotional with the lyrics sung by Billy Boyd. "The Black Gate Opens" has beautiful tunes of flutes and themes of the Fellowship in an emotional way - I love it! "Into the West" by Annie Lennox is a beautiful and dramatic song that gives you the sense of "the end of a journey".
I highly recommend this soundtrack set for the beautiful themes and songs it holds.
Free Music Review: A Beautiful Boxed Set
Hit: 5 Stars
Enough has been said about Howard Shore's masterful, sweeping scores, so I'll cut right to the attraction of getting a boxed set of this amazing trilogy: the aesthetics. The aesthetical value of this boxed set is worth the few extra dollars. The three CD's come in a handsome, high-quality tan box depicting concept art from all three movies. It's a visually pleasing way to keep the soundtracks together and is of impressive quality.There have been so many alternate covers for each CD that, if they were bought separately, it would been a chore to decide on which cover. Luckily, this boxed set comes with 18 "collector cards". The "cards" are actually 12 x 12 cm, glossy pictures of all the alternate covers of each CD, most of them with pictures on both back and front. They are printed on thin cardboard. Pictures include individual shots of nearly all the characters, both central (Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, Gandalf, Gollum, Legolas...) and secondary (Eomer, Theoden, Denethor, Arwen...) They're nice to have and they are a great way to customize your soundtracks. The booklet in each CD has the main cover of each soundtrack printed directly on it, over which these cards can be slotted if desired.
The cards can also double as mini-posters. However, the CD's fit snugly in the box only if the cards are kept in the box as well: all together the cards create a stack about half the thickness of a CD, so without this cushion the soundtracks tend to move around.
Nonetheless, I would definitely recommend this set to those who are appreciative of the music from the theatrical versions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and who are looking for an attractive set. Be forewarned that future boxed sets will be released containing the music from the Extended versions of the trilogy.