If I had to use a single word to describe this music, it would have to be "majestic", a word that was probably used to death in the umpteen-million reviews of Lord Of The Rings. The moods and emotions painted by Shore: pensive, tense, mysterious, fearful, aggressive, joy and wonder. These are accentuated by some truly fine solo performances including Ben del Maestro on "Minas Tirith" (an amazing contrast to the dark choral work preceding it), Billy Boyd ("The Steward Of Gondor"), Renee Fleming ("Twilight And Shadow", "The End Of All Things") and James Galway ("The Black Gates Opens", "The Grey Havens"). The recording closes with "Into The West", performed by Annie Lennox. Fan's of the film series will find a lot to like here. The emotional sweep of the recording tracks the arc of Tolkein's storyline beautifully.
Some of Shore's music is so intense that I almost want to see the movies now.
Almost.
(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)
Article comments
1 - Steve Cordina
go see the movie already !!
*rolls eyes*
2 - Chris Kent
Why see the movie when you can listen to the lovely music by Howard Shore?
3 - Mark Saleski
it's not gonna happen.
i have a growing list of super-popular movies that i've never seen:
E.T.
Titanic
Gladiator
Lord of the Rings series
plus, the special effects used in lots of modern movies just creep me out...it's like watching software.
4 - Chris Kent
Mark,
You're as eccentric as my ex-girlfriend....she refused to watch Titantic because she had a fear of drowning....even though the film was excellent.....all of those movies mentioned are quite good. And ET didn't have computer generated effects anyway....
What were you, raised by wolves?!!
5 - Mark Saleski
...just embracing my inner curmudgeon.
6 - Eric Olsen
Dude, they really are all good in their - very different - own ways, even freaking Titanic. E.T. is one of the best movies about childhood ever made, an absolute classic, the sci-fi crap almost gets in the way. I love the first two LOTR, although I am less thrilled with #3.
Put your nose back on your face and pick one of them, at least. Sometimes things are popular for a good reason - the public isn't always stupid.