The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (The Complete Recordings)
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Free Music Notes for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (The Complete Recordings)
Free Music Review: This is some of my favorite music!! Howard Shore is a genius!
Hit: 5 Stars
In the fall of 2006, I first saw the Lord of the Rings series. After some time, I was hooked. What really caught a lot of my attention was the music. The more and more I learned about the thought put into this trilogy, and the more and more I saw them showed me just how great this project was and is. Return of the King: The Complete Recordings will blow you away. With absolutely moving performances from Renee Fleming, James Galway, Sissel, Ben del Maestro, Viggo Mortensen, and others, this box set is awesome. A lot of my favorite tracks are on the third and fourth CDs, but the first and second have favorites as well. "The Grace of Undomiel," "The Lighting of the Beacons," and "Anduril Flame of the West" (from CDs 1 and 2)are great. Yet, for all out fans who have analyzed and studied the movies there are little tidbits that make this AWESOME. A few examples would be the little viola (?) bit at the very end of "The Sacrifice of Faramir" which has a little Middle Eastern sound to it [I think anyway :-)] and the choral seconds accompanying Eomer's discovery of Eowyn after Pelennor Fields.
Choral! Choral! Choral! So many choral and vocal bits certainly capture me. If you're new to choral music, this might be a good starter to get you into it. Caution though: it get's rather intense near the end :-) (I'm loving it though). Ah...words can't describe the emotion portrayed by Howard Shore throughout this music. This is definitely some of my favorite music in the world. If the price is steep for you (it was for me) try talking to your family or friends about helping you out (especially if they are LOTR fans or even just music lovers). Then when you get it you can share this masterpiece with them!
P.S.
(If you DO get it, blast "For Frodo" for me!)
Free Music Review: An immersive, compelling listening experience.
Hit: 5 Stars
The difference with these complete recordings.. is the sheer weight of material. The theatrical soundtrack is a mere greatest hits by comparison. The impression is that, after everyone has left the concert hall, you've been invited back, to listen to fruits of the exaustive and countless re-envisionings of this music for the film fleshed out in the grandest scope and the fullest form. If you were blown away by the third theatrical soundtrack, as I was, the new material will immerse you back into the rich and compelling power of Shore's music and the world of Middle-Earth. The sensitivity and innovation of Shore's score is that of a master at work. Highlights are the opening 'Roots and Beginnings' which was taken out of the final film, but which i my opinion contributes chillingly and devastatingly to the Sméagol/Déagol scene that opens the film, the tyrannical Mordor theme raging to the surface behind Gollums' cruel murder.
'The Eyes of The White Tower' is another powerfully moving piece which fleshes out the scene around the courtyard of minas tirith and in the confrontation between Gandalf and Denethor.'The Houses of Healing' also works beautifully with the vocal of Liv Tyler.
You may think the sheer amount of music would become wearisome and repetitive, but all throughout Shore weaves subtle and beautiful orchestral colours and themes mixed with the grandeur and mythical heroism that echoes the spirit of Tolkien and that will have you coming back again and again
Free Music Review: Best movie soundtrack since Star Wars
Hit: 5 Stars
Howard Shore's Lord of the Rings sountracks are easily the best movie soundtracks since Star Wars (I mean the original trilogy). This is a masterpiece. It combines beautiful, heart-rendering songs (particularly any of the Elves' themes) with great action/adventure scores (the Fellowship theme). The soundtrack has such emotional power that, even without seeing the scenes in the movie, you can just feel what's going to happen.
The Return of the King soundtrack is probably my favorite of the trilogy. Howard Shore took some of the original themes to the next level, while adding gems such as the Battle of Pelennor Fields and For Frodo on Mount Doom. Trust me, if you haven't listened to these songs in a while, you'll be blown away. Sheer epic in scale. Just don't listen to them in a crowded area on your ipod - you don't want people staring at you when you shout "For Frodo!"
A note: this special edition set is expensive but definitely worth your money. This is the COMPLETE soundtrack from the movie. It has many times the number of tracks and runs at over 3 hours (that's twice as long as most movies today!). Each set also includes a high-quality, DVD version of the tracks.
This soundtrack (and the rest of the trilogy) is destined to become a classic. I know Tolkien would be proud. My only question is whether Howard Shore will produce the Hobbit soundtrack...
Free Music Review: Climactic Finish
Hit: 5 Stars
Although I did not purchase this item through Amazon, I am compelled to write a review on it's contents.
Return of the King has some of the best music of the entire trilogy in my opinion. Many of the tracks signal the hope of man against the seemingly overwhelming forces of Sauron. Track 15, "The Lighting of the Beacons," is touched with excitement as each tribe of people answer the call to aid Gondor. There is tons of music that was excluded from the original ROTK soundtrack, which makes this investment sound expansive in its own right. Fans finally have access to "Houses of Healing," featuring Liv Tyler and the seminal "For Frodo," that blasts as Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, and Gimli do all within their power to secure Frodo's safe ascent to the pits of Mount Doom, without prior knowledge of course that he and Sam have actually survived the trek. In addition, Bilbo's song is a freshing and chilling way to complete the album....perhaps suggesting we turn our thoughts to The Hobbit?
All in all however, this is a great album that I feel is punctuated by the music contained within "The Mouth of Sauron," formerly, "The Black Gate Opens." It is here that you sense that despite overwhelming odds, good will prevail, either through honorable death, or victory in this battle. A sense of peace envelops you completely as you listen to this album.
Free Music Review: A crowning glory
Hit: 5 Stars
Anyone who is a fan of Peter Jackson's magnificent trilogy (especially the extended editions) knows the power and majesty of Howard Shore's epic score. The first two film scores have been released over the past couple of years and I was trembling with anticipation when the full, extended score for "Return of the King" was announced as being ready for release. Except you could only get it in the States. So, onto [...] I hopped and ordered my copy.
I picked up my parcel from the Post Office yesterday and immediately put the first of the 4 discs into my stereo. I was always a little bit disappointed with the original soundtrack release - mainly because the tracks were not in the order they appeared in the film - but all these doubts were swept away as the music poured from my speakers.
From opener "Roots and Beginnings" through to the sweeping "Lighting the Beacons" and the climactic "Crack of Doom", Howard Shore weaves themes from the first two movies along with fresh and powerful new ideas.
The overall effect is mesmerising and a little exhuasting. But in a good way.
Anyone who already owns the first two complete scores cannot miss this one. Anyone who doesn't...well, give the "Fellowship..." one a try. Then BUY THEM ALL!!!