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: ROTK OST
Hit: 5 Stars
This is amazing! Hours of listening pleasure to finish off the collection. Surprisingly a lot of tracks sound much better than in the movie especially tracks supporting the battle scenes.
Where as The Two Towers incidental music tended to be slightly tiresome, this score keeps you engaged in every track and you notice more and more themes interwoven from the previous scores with each listen.
A must buy for a LOTR fan!
Free Music Review: Hours of bliss...
Hit: 4 Stars
I'm such a fan of the movies that I naturally had to get the music. These extended versions of the musical scores are heavenly. Having several hours of music to fill my days and my senses is my kind of bliss. Anyone who hears the music is magically transported back to the wonderful movies and can relive the wonder of three great experiences. My only wish would be that someday many of the themes-in-song would be made into full-length songs instead of just the snippets we hear throughout the movies. Now THAT would be music to buy.Free Music Review: Monumental!
Hit: 5 Stars
When I walked out of my local cinema on the 17th of December 2003, having just witnessed possibly the best film I have ever seen or ever will see, I was emotionally drained, but also extremely excited to: (a) see the film again on the big screen; and (b) to buy and listen to the soundtrack.
I saw the film one more time, which I believe was enough to both satisfy me and to keep my interest piqued for the soundtrack. It was about a month later when I purchased the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, and never have I been more disappointed.
Film soundtracks somehow always tend to leave out some piece of music that was uniquely memorable to me, however I was horrified to find a good deal of my musical highlights from the film omitted. I understand of course that they have to be ruthless in order to edit a 250-minute score into 70 minutes of CD, but that did not comfort me.
Over time I got used to it, as it appeared to be the only version of the music I was ever going to hear, and I will even admit to loving it: I enjoyed most of the tracks, especially "Minas Tirith", "The White Tree", "The Black Gate Opens" and I still prefer to "Anduril" to the one presented on the Complete Recordings.
However, it cannot be overstated: The Return of the King - The Complete Recordings is magnificent, everything that I've ever wished for in a musical score and an amazing testament to Howard Shore's skill and genius as an artist. It is what I waited 4 years to hear, and I'm truly glad that I lived to see the day when Shore's 10-hour opera was made available on disc.
I'm not going to make any attempt to critically analyse the music and its various thematic elements, etc. - any attempt would be futile, as that has already been done expertly by Doug Adams, and I would refer anyone interested to know more to the comprehensive Annotated Scores for all 3 Complete Recordings to be found on www.thelordoftherings-soundtack.net.
Instead, I can only offer an emotional response to what I view to be the highlights of this monumental recording. First, "Roots and Beginnings" gives us the music that Shore intended to accompany Smeagol's murder of Deagol and his transformation into Gollum, which was replaced by sound effects in the film: it's extremely powerful music.
"The Grace of Undomiel" is another favourite of mine as it features the best segue music I have ever heard: as Narsil is re-forged, the Rivendell theme builds to a crescendo before it flows into the Minas Tirith theme, which is appropriate as the film then flashes to Gandalf and Pippin as they approach the capital city of Gondor. The Fellowship theme sounds in an urgent yet heroic statement and then The Realm of Gondor takes over: incredible!
I was always disappointed with "The Ride of the Rohirrim" on the 2003 Soundtrack as it presented the least stirring of the Rohan melodies when there were 2 other far superior tunes that they could have chosen. "The Lighting of the Beacons" ends with one of those: the Rohan fanfare is presented as similarly heroic and urgent as Theoden and his troops prepare to depart, before it builds through a majestic version of Nature's Reclamation.
"Osgiliath Invaded" is another superb track, and it offers us a rare opportunity to hear music that was composed to an earlier, alternate edit of the film. The Morgul-host clash violently with Faramir's rangers before the fellowship theme interrupts the battle: in this version, Gandalf and Pippin have only just arrived in Gondor and, seeing the Nazgul attacking the retreating Gondorians, they charge the Pelennor fields, Gandalf's staff-light blazing, and the Nazgul flee.
The music Shore composed for all of the Paths of the Dead scenes is actually a lot better than I originally thought that it was: the use of hanging Tibetan gongs was a particular stroke of genius on his part: they're just so haunting and exotic! Similarly, Shore's music for the Shelob's Lair sequences not only showcases what is clearly one of his favourite compositional styles, but also reflects the action on screen perfectly, serving as a musical imprint of events.
I suppose that that goes for the entire score, but mention must be made here of his compositions for "The Siege of Gondor", "Grond - The Hammer of the Underworld" and "The Tomb of the Stewards": the music that represents the evil mechanical might of Mordor is evocative and harrowing at the same time.
Perhaps the one piece of music that I have most looked forward to hearing and have found myself humming many times over the last 4 years comes from one of my favourite scenes in the trilogy: Theoden's charge on the fields of the Pelennor. "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields" on Disc 3 does not disappoint and never ceases to make my hair stand on end as the Hardanger fiddle sings the Rohan fanfare over brave brass doing the same. Fantastic!
The bloody and frantic battle that results from the Rohirrim's arrival is just as well represented musically: from the deep, ponderous percussion of the Mumakil charge to the high, hellish choir that backs the Witch-king's attack on Eowyn, we are presented with a kaleidoscope of melodies that fight for dominance. And yet, amid all the chaos, a clear simple tune calls out during a lull: the Grey Havens theme makes its first appearance in "A Far Green Country", and what a tune, orchestrated differently from the film, but better!
Finally, Legolas' bringing-down of a Mumak serves as a suitable climax to the battle, both visually and musically, before we fall back to earth where Theoden lies dying. I am in constant awe of Shore's aptness to composing simple yet very emotional music for death scenes: Boromir's in "Fellowship" was one, and Theoden's is of a similar kind, as choir and halting strings and brass give the impression of a person's breath slowing and finally giving-out.
However, the true climax of the film, and the entire 10-hour score/opera for that matter, is the destruction of the ring. "For Frodo" sets those events in motion as Aragorn leads the Army of the West against the forces of Mordor and Gollum returns to attack Frodo and Sam on Mount Doom. The incredible choral accompaniment follows these events to perfection as first it sings heroically then its tone turns dark, until it is comforted by the Nature theme.
The Ring is at last destroyed, and the music for "The Crack of Doom" is some of the best I think that I have ever heard. The Fate of the Ring theme, which once appeared briefly when Aragorn and Gandalf were discussing the future of Middle-earth in The Two Towers, is now brought to the fore by full chorus and orchestra as it represents the downfall of Sauron and hope for a new day. I feel sure that if there is ever a Judgement Day, and Evil is destroyed forever, that music will be playing! The Gondor Reborn theme also features, and it is another example of an alternate version to the film, but a far superior one!
Let me make this clear: the entire 10-hour score/opera is amazing, and is an essential for any discerning music lover. If I had the time to write a review for all three Complete Recordings, I would: this all too brief critique has only looked at a small percentage of the music, and then only my personal highlights. The whole set of 10 CDs may look costly, but I assure you that it is worth every penny, and if you loved the films, the books or just good music, then you will find eternal joy in this score/opera, as I have done and still do.
Free Music Review: AMAZING !
Hit: 5 Stars
The third part finally. Although 4 hour long this is a great listening. Always interesting and so vivid. I still think is it too expensive and I just do not have the time to sit still for 4 hours in front of my 5.1 system but it is worth it. Beautiful package. Great music. A must for LFTR and music fanatics.Free Music Review: Sensational sound
Hit: 5 Stars
Howard Shore excels in his sound tracks for all three movies. Unlike so many movie sound tracks that interfere and are often just plain annoying, the music from LOTR carries the films along, complementing each scene. People who love the films can't help but love the complete recordings. The sound quality is superb and you can rerun the whole film in your head instead of just the usual excerpts. The accompanying booklet explaining the background to each piece is fascinating, if a little small in the print department. A magnifying glass might be a useful accessory if you wish to read the booklet fully.