The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Hobbit:
New Zealand's national orchestra to record "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" soundtrack



DanielLB
Immortal


Jul 11 2013, 8:15pm


Views: 2168
New Zealand's national orchestra to record "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" soundtrack
As revealed here.

Quote
New Zealand's national orchestra has been given the green light to record the soundtrack for Sir Peter Jackson's second Hobbit film at the Wellington Town Hall.

Sir Peter said he was delighted to have secured the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's services again, after recording Howard Shore's score for The Lord of the Rings with the group in 2001.
And another report here.

Smile
Coming soon! The first TORn Amateur Symposium, starts Sunday 21st July in the Reading Room. Closing date for essay submission Sunday 14th July, but even if you don't submit, join us for some interesting discussion on some different and personal ways of looking at Tolkien's work.




(This post was edited by DanielLB on Jul 11 2013, 8:18pm)


Ardamírë
Valinor


Jul 11 2013, 8:20pm


Views: 1427
Just a question
I really don't have a clue, but is this the same orchestra that recorded the other soundtracks? Or have they all be recorded by different ones? My Two Towers soundtrack CD (which is the only soundtrack CD I have) says the artist is the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I had just assumed it was always the same. Do you know? I'm sure Magpie does. Hopefully she'll see this and be able to answer. Smile
"...not till now have I understood the tale of your people and their fall.
As wicked fools I scorned them, but I pity them at last.
For if this is indeed, as the Eldar say, the gift of the One to Men,
it is bitter to receive." -Arwen Undómiel



Estel78
Tol Eressea

Jul 11 2013, 8:23pm


Views: 1404
It was pretty much all London Symphony Orchestra for LOTR as far as i know
The only piece NZSO conducted was the Mines of Moria track as it was it first score written for the film, months before the movie came out, for the Cannes presentation.


Ardamírë
Valinor


Jul 11 2013, 8:46pm


Views: 1352
And who did AUJ?
Do you know? What caught me off guard was the report saying that they'd worked with Shore on FOTR. But I guess that would be accurate if they worked on the Mines of Moria track for Cannes.
"...not till now have I understood the tale of your people and their fall.
As wicked fools I scorned them, but I pity them at last.
For if this is indeed, as the Eldar say, the gift of the One to Men,
it is bitter to receive." -Arwen Undómiel



DanielLB
Immortal


Jul 11 2013, 8:49pm


Views: 1386
I know the answer to that one!
It was all performed and recorded by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I've contacted Magpie regarding your first question - I have no idea.

Smile
Coming soon! The first TORn Amateur Symposium, starts Sunday 21st July in the Reading Room. Closing date for essay submission Sunday 14th July, but even if you don't submit, join us for some interesting discussion on some different and personal ways of looking at Tolkien's work.




Elessar
Valinor


Jul 11 2013, 8:55pm


Views: 1307
That's cool
As long as it has the sound we're all familiar with it will be an even cooler thing that they're getting to do it.


Ardamírë
Valinor


Jul 11 2013, 8:56pm


Views: 1278
Thanks, Daniel! //
 
"...not till now have I understood the tale of your people and their fall.
As wicked fools I scorned them, but I pity them at last.
For if this is indeed, as the Eldar say, the gift of the One to Men,
it is bitter to receive." -Arwen Undómiel



Lieutenant of Dol Guldur
Gondor


Jul 11 2013, 9:18pm


Views: 1353
I like and don't like it at the same time
First of all it is something new. But new can mean better or worse. Why?

Every orchestra sounds different although they've the same instruments. That's a good thing but my problem with the orchestra change for DOS is:

All LOTR scores and also the AUJ one was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I really love the uniform sound of the released Middle-earth scores. Even if AUJ looks different to LOTR it's soundtrack has the same tone/sound. I know that Howard Shores DOS score will be amazing but I fear that it will sound very different to the others. Which could also be a good thing because the award juries might notice the change.

As I wrote in the beginning: New can also mean better although it's very difficult because the LPO did an amazing job. I'm looking forward to this score!

"There is only one Lord of the Ring, only one who can bend it to his will. And he does not share power."


xxxyyy
Rohan

Jul 11 2013, 9:43pm


Views: 1283
Are you sure it doesn't all come down to who's directing it?
Those musicians are like machines, you give them a score, they play it as fauthfully as possible.
Who will give the speed, the pauses, the "strength" to the music is the director.
Yes, there might be some very small differences, but it won't be noticable at all, I guess.
So, as long as it's Shore the director (is he?), I'm fine with it.
More, I'm happy because it's another thing done by New Zealand people.
http://energyfromthorium.com/


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 11 2013, 11:21pm


Views: 1241
Quite drastic
Bringing in orchestrators, jettisoning the LPO in favour the New Zealand National Orchestra. I have to think this was a result of major problems encountered in the post-production of AUJ, as the final soundtrack heard in the film suggests. We know how much Shore likes working with the LPO - why would he choose to abandon using them after four films?

I have to think there will be something of a difference in the final sound.


Ardamírë
Valinor


Jul 11 2013, 11:39pm


Views: 1219
I wonder if it comes down
to Shore having someone else conduct the orchestra this time around? Maybe this other person (whose name I can't recall) enjoys working with this New Zealand orchestra better? That's all I can think of.
"...not till now have I understood the tale of your people and their fall.
As wicked fools I scorned them, but I pity them at last.
For if this is indeed, as the Eldar say, the gift of the One to Men,
it is bitter to receive." -Arwen Undómiel



bungobaggins
Lorien


Jul 12 2013, 12:51am


Views: 1170
Honestly never heard any of their recordings.
This is the most recent performance I could find on youtube, from 2011 and personnel can change in two years I'm sure. But for any orchestra you have to be top notch, and they pull off an okay performance of the Brahms here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdcjq08XLzc

For a completely unfair comparison here's Lenny B. and the Vienna Phil. TongueEvil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1E6FBi-AJw

I'm currently listening to a recording (released this year) of NZSO performing Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" and overall I'm not totally impressed. Mainly because it's not the Ravel orchestration and I'm finding some of the choices to be a little odd.

While I don't think anyone should be worried about this decision I would like an honest answer as to why, the "straight dope." And also an honest answer about the major discrepancies between the AUJ soundtrack and the final film score would be nice too. Guess I'll just have to put those on my wish-list for Santa, because to be frank I don't think we'll ever get answers for those questions.
"The word 'beauty' is as easy to use as the word 'degenerate.' Both come in handy when one does or does not agree with you."


Earl
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jul 12 2013, 2:28am


Views: 1076
AUJ's score was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Voices, and the Tiffin Boys' Choir //
 


Earl
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jul 12 2013, 2:30am


Views: 1088
In addition to the Moria music for Cannes, the NZSO also recorded an early version of "The Breaking of the Fellowship"
This can be heard at the very end of the FOTR EE fan credits.


Lieutenant of Dol Guldur
Gondor


Jul 12 2013, 7:27am


Views: 1025
I think he was looking for external orchestrators for DoS
Quote
So, as long as it's Shore the director (is he?), I'm fine with it.
He was for LOTR and AUJ but he won't be the conductor for DOS. A few weeks ago it was mentioned that he was looking for another orchestrator.

Howard Shore hires external orchestrators for DOS instead of doing it himself

So there might be a different sound now. Different orchestra, different orchestrators... we'll see/hear.


Quote
Those musicians are like machines, you give them a score, they play it as fauthfully as possible.

Nope. That's the great thing and difference between a machine (a score that was produced on the computer) and a musician. On a computer it always sounds the same but every musician plays a little different.
"There is only one Lord of the Ring, only one who can bend it to his will. And he does not share power."

(This post was edited by Lieutenant of Dol Guldur on Jul 12 2013, 7:30am)


Glorfindela
Valinor


Jul 12 2013, 10:57am


Views: 994
I can't help feeling a little disappointed
The London Philharmonic is a world-class orchestra – perhaps the best in the world. They sound marvellous if you have ever heard them play live. (I've even been to screenings of LOTR at the Royal Albert Hall with this orchestra playing.)

It would have been good if the film-makers had stuck with the same outfit for consistency of quality.

Is this a cost issue?


(This post was edited by Glorfindela on Jul 12 2013, 10:58am)


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 12 2013, 10:59am


Views: 979
Can't be cost surely?
I can't imagine any expense being spared on this production.

It must be due to issues with post-production on the last film.


Noria
Gondor

Jul 12 2013, 12:11pm


Views: 973
Interesting and slightly alarming
I saw last month’s thread about how Howard Shore is not going to orchestrate his score for DoS but is he not going to conduct it either? That’s very different from LotR , in which he composed, orchestrated and conducted. Didn't he even make set visits during production back then to inform his work on the score?

There does seem to be a difference this time round, for whatever reason. The heavy use of a piece not written by Shore in AUJ (the Misty Mountains theme), the differences between the OST and the actual movie score, the farming out of the orchestration and now the change in orchestras is certainly quite a change. But most casual viewers of DoS won’t know and won’t care.

I don’t know the NZSO so I can’t comment on their competence. Most national orchestras are very good, even if they are not on the world stage. But it surely must be a time saver for the production to do the scoring in NZ rather than England. My concern is that the LSO is very experienced in playing/recording movie scores and possibly that’s a rather specific skill.


Lindele
Gondor


Jul 12 2013, 12:21pm


Views: 958
A little misleading
So they are recording some small part of the score? Obviously the LPO is the main orchestra for these films....


Bumpypotato
Bree

Jul 12 2013, 12:22pm


Views: 952
Lucky
Lucky buggers. From memory they also performed on Serj Tankian's live album.


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 12 2013, 12:26pm


Views: 949
He IS conducting
We've not heard otherwise. It's just the orchestration he won't be doing.


DanielLB
Immortal


Jul 12 2013, 12:44pm


Views: 952
Neither of the articles say that
Both seem to suggest that NZSO will be recording the entire soundtrack. LPO may well be adding something, but if they were the main orchestra, then the articles aren't reporting it.
Coming soon! The first TORn Amateur Symposium, starts Sunday 21st July in the Reading Room. Closing date for essay submission Sunday 14th July, but even if you don't submit, join us for some interesting discussion on some different and personal ways of looking at Tolkien's work.




xxxyyy
Rohan

Jul 12 2013, 1:13pm


Views: 932
As machines, I meant in a positive way
I meant that they should play more or less the same as every other professional player around the world.
The difference should come from the director, I'd say 80 per cent?
Of course, if you compare single musicians there would be huge differences, but being in an orchestra, they should conform to a "standard" sound.
All this, In My Opinion, because I'm not very into classical music... even though I love it. (who doesn't?)

I'm not worried about the orchestra too much, I'm worried it won't be Howard Shore directing it... that's not good, not good at all...
http://energyfromthorium.com/


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 12 2013, 1:18pm


Views: 949
Howard Shore is composing and conducting
All he won't be doing his orchestrating, that is, arranging the music for performance by the orchestra.


Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor

Jul 12 2013, 1:45pm


Views: 944
The first article erroneously implies
that the NZSO did the entire score for LOTR. So I don't think that you can count on the media reporting this correctly.

That having been said, it does appear that the NZSO will be doing the bulk of the work. And I am perfectly fine with that.
'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'

The Hall of Fire


bungobaggins
Lorien


Jul 12 2013, 1:49pm


Views: 722
That's something that can't be quantified.
Quote
The difference should come from the director, I'd say 80 per cent?
While they should perform well enough for a film score, not all orchestras are created equal, as seen in my post above comparing NZSO to Vienna Phil. There's a gigantic difference in quality of performance. The orchestra is only as good as its weakest player. And it's not always up to the conductor either; in the musical world the purpose of the conductor is often, jokingly, called into question.

Watch this. All Bernstein does is cue them to begin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XclKeS0vaiM

Of course, one could say that because it's a film score the musicians will be sight-reading the moment they begin recording, and while that's most likely true, the difficulty of the score shouldn't be something that's more challenging than a piece in the standard orchestral repertoire, probably why they wouldn't feel the need for a prior rehearsal.

"The word 'beauty' is as easy to use as the word 'degenerate.' Both come in handy when one does or does not agree with you."

"Any questions?"


Doug Adams
Bree

Jul 12 2013, 2:38pm


Views: 744
Orchestrating
Shore's sketches essentially include all his orchestrations. Additional orchestrators will really just tend to minute details. If Shore labels a chord "violins" in his sketch, the orchestrator decides what the first violins play and what the second violins play, etc. It's essentially copyist work, though it still takes a highly trained professional to understand the process.

Doug Adams


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Jul 12 2013, 2:40pm


Views: 726
Given that they scored the Moria sequence from FotR...
...I'd say there's not much cause for alarm, as the performance of that music in the film is absolutely stunning.

Still, I share other posters' sadness at losing the LSO - they are a tradition for these scores. But if this has anything to do with the discrepancy between Shore's album music and the final score mix for AUJ, then it may just be for the best.
"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


(This post was edited by Aragorn the Elfstone on Jul 12 2013, 2:44pm)


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Jul 12 2013, 2:42pm


Views: 716
Thanks Doug.
It's amazingly disconcerting how much misinformation gets floated around, so thanks for the clarification. Smile
"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


Doug Adams
Bree

Jul 12 2013, 2:48pm


Views: 715
Conducting
Actually, in the case Shore's Middle-earth music, I'd almost say the conductor is more important than the orchestra. ("Almost" being the key word here ... I guess wouldn't really go quite that far.) I've seen some very, very fine "name" orchestras struggle with his music because they just don't know how to shape it. It's not really derived from the standard European tradition in terms of its development.

Shore tends to use rhythm and dynamics in a very specific way, which pushes counterpoint into the background. He also divides his orchestra uniquely, and creates very thick chord voicings, especially below the staff. None of this is hard to perform, but it's incredibly hard to balance and shape. I've only even seen one or two conductors other than Shore himself get it right.

Shore always rehearses the orchestra at his sessions for this very reason. They have to understand the concept before recording.

Doug Adams


Skaan
Lorien


Jul 12 2013, 2:48pm


Views: 739
Hey Doug
I just read your post on your blog (http://www.musicoflotr.com for those who haven't read it yet) and i was wondering about what you said here:

"When Fellowship's Mines of Moria sequence premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, New Zealand's leading orchestra--and a male chorus full of trained vocalists and footballers--recorded the score."

Does that mean we'll get to hear that all-male chorus again in DoS? I absolutely loved those in FoTR and would love to hear them again.


Doug Adams
Bree

Jul 12 2013, 2:50pm


Views: 723
It just means ...
... that the chorus performed back in 2001. I'm not giving any Smaug hints. :)


Skaan
Lorien


Jul 12 2013, 2:55pm


Views: 685
Fair enough
The wait is killing meTongue. Howard's music is probably the thing i'm looking forward to the most in the next 2 films.


Doug Adams
Bree

Jul 12 2013, 3:01pm


Views: 713
Straight Dope
In Reply To
While I don't think anyone should be worried about this decision I would like an honest answer as to why, the "straight dope."
They're a fine ensemble, and it makes postproduction easier. That's the straight dope.

In Reply To
And also an honest answer about the major discrepancies between the AUJ soundtrack and the final film score would be nice too. Guess I'll just have to put those on my wish-list for Santa, because to be frank I don't think we'll ever get answers for those questions.
The problem is, you're looking for a single, explosive explanation. Such a thing does not exist. Different choices were made. That's it. That's really it. Changes were made during the recording sessions--as they always are--and Shore liked certain things for the album while Jackson liked certain things for the film. Think the end of Helm's Deep. The filmmakers liked the Nature theme, Shore liked Gandalf material. The film went one way, the boxed set CDs went another direction.

"Creativity" is another word for "individuality." Because of this, you put two creative people in a room, they're not always going to make identical choices. In this case, there was a format for both sets of choices to be presented, so we heard some discrepancies. If you're digging for a pinpointed moment of drama, you're simply not going to find it. It's just a case of two mature artists coexisting ... with a few differences of opinion.


Doug Adams
Bree

Jul 12 2013, 3:02pm


Views: 703
Amen!
In Reply To
It's amazingly disconcerting how much misinformation gets floated around, so thanks for the clarification. Smile
You said it! ;)


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 12 2013, 3:13pm


Views: 662
Well
The all-male chorus was used for Moria because it is now somewhat synonymous with Dwarven music. 'Grunting' aside, it was wonderful to hear similar male choruses in 'My Dear Frodo' and 'An Ancient Enemy'. Hopefully we'll hear even more 'Dwarven music' in DoS. I can't wait to hear what Shore has in store for the Thrain flashback material, or when the company are walking on that huge statue and eventually glimpse the inside of Erebor once more.

And many thanks for the clarification Doug.


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 12 2013, 3:16pm


Views: 688
One more question please Doug, if you don't mind my asking
Providing Mr Shore has already done additional work for the AUJ:EE (and I don't see why he would not have), did he do it with the LPO or the NZSO?


Imladris18
Lorien

Jul 12 2013, 3:17pm


Views: 659
Thank you.
It's great to have some concrete information instead of wild, negative speculation.


Aragorn the Elfstone
Tol Eressea


Jul 12 2013, 3:25pm


Views: 662
LOL - I fear in my above post...
...that I may have done what I just lamented about in my reply to Doug higher up in the thread - contributed to the spread of misinformation! ;)

I mentioned the possibility of the link between the soundtrack discrepancies and the difference of the orchestra only because it had been mentioned earlier in the thread. But we don't know that, of course, and it may very well have nothing to do with it.
"All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible."
- T.E. Lawrence


Doug Adams
Bree

Jul 12 2013, 3:32pm


Views: 676
Mum
I'm afraid that's more a Shore or studio question than a Doug question ... I'm not officially licensed to make any such announcements. :)


Shagrat
Gondor

Jul 12 2013, 3:36pm


Views: 643
I understand
I guess we'll find out soon enough anyway. Smile


Bombadil
Half-elven


Jul 12 2013, 4:09pm


Views: 642
Doug? HS used unusual instruments at times, in Rohan..
Are we even close with the idea.. Laketown will be sorta Eastern European in flavor?

Bomby


Eleniel
Tol Eressea


Jul 12 2013, 4:38pm


Views: 633
Hmm...
In Reply To
... that the chorus performed back in 2001. I'm not giving any Smaug hints. :)




That seems to have slipped by most people so far! Wink

"Choosing Trust over Doubt gets me burned once in a while, but I'd rather be singed than hardened."
¯ Victoria Monfort


Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor

Jul 12 2013, 6:22pm


Views: 603
I saw it
I'm trying not to think anything of it, because I don't want to have expectations that end up being dashed.
'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'

The Hall of Fire


Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor

Jul 12 2013, 6:24pm


Views: 601
I am impressed by how calm and and even-handed you are able to be in responding to comments like this //
 
'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'

The Hall of Fire


Skaan
Lorien


Jul 12 2013, 6:34pm


Views: 603
Am i missing something?
Is there supposed to be a hidden message in that?Tongue


Eleniel
Tol Eressea


Jul 12 2013, 8:08pm


Views: 595
Not so sure now...
I suppose on further reflection "Smaug" might have simply been Doug's shorthand for DoS...

"Choosing Trust over Doubt gets me burned once in a while, but I'd rather be singed than hardened."
¯ Victoria Monfort


Ardamírë
Valinor


Jul 12 2013, 8:12pm


Views: 569
Thanks, Earl! //
 
"...not till now have I understood the tale of your people and their fall.
As wicked fools I scorned them, but I pity them at last.
For if this is indeed, as the Eldar say, the gift of the One to Men,
it is bitter to receive." -Arwen Undómiel



Silverlode
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jul 12 2013, 8:32pm


Views: 598
Well....
Of course, this is a clip of an orchestra which has played this together before and is well rehearsed. They are not sitting down to sight read it for the first time. A Conductor's job is most necessary in rehearsal, when the "shape" of the piece, to use Doug's term, is being established. He sets the pace and keeps the instruments together. Once the orchestra is well rehearsed, then yes, they could play together once someone started them off in unison.

Quote
All Bernstein does is cue them to begin.
Silverlode

"Dark is the water of Kheled-zâram, and cold are the springs of Kibil-nâla, and fair were the many-pillared halls of Khazad-dûm in Elder Days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone."



There&ThereAgain
Rohan


Jul 12 2013, 8:50pm


Views: 592
look yall
we're not going to be able to tell the difference. The only reason you are alarmed is because you are being told to be alarmed.

It's like when someone gives you a burger and then after tells you it's a veggie burger. I'm not saying either is better, but your expectations would change if you knew it or not beforehand. Angelic
"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair; and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater."-J.R.R. Tolkien

"Thanks for the money!" -George Lucas


Elessar
Valinor


Jul 12 2013, 9:10pm


Views: 552
Good point
I'm a picky eater but have eaten things I wouldn't normally because nobody told me what was in the food.


Doug Adams
Bree

Jul 13 2013, 2:51pm


Views: 515
Just Shorthand ...
In Reply To
I suppose on further reflection "Smaug" might have simply been Doug's shorthand for DoS...
For some reason, I've been slow to adopt the standard Hobbit abbreviations. Sorry!


Doug Adams
Bree

Jul 13 2013, 2:54pm


Views: 510
Mum 2
In Reply To
Are we even close with the idea.. Laketown will be sorta Eastern European in flavor?

Bomby
I honestly cannot say. You'll see/hear soon!


Doug Adams
Bree

Jul 13 2013, 3:00pm


Views: 507
Thanks!
In Reply To
Thanks! It could be worse ... I'm just glad I didn't have to calm nerves back in 2002 when they switched boy soprano soloists: "So, let's talk about puberty, everyone ... "

This is a breeze compared to that potential discomfort! ;)


Skaan
Lorien


Jul 13 2013, 3:07pm


Views: 506
I don't know if you're allowed to say this
But do you know when Howard Shore will start working on the music for DoS? Or is he already doing so? By working i don't just mean recording the music, but also writing the music, getting the inspiration, etc etc.

I'm not really familiar with how this process usually goes, so i'm not sure when composers usually start working on movie soundtracks.


Doug Adams
Bree

Jul 13 2013, 3:18pm


Views: 509
Already
In Reply To
But do you know when Howard Shore will start working on the music for DoS? Or is he already doing so? By working i don't just mean recording the music, but also writing the music, getting the inspiration, etc etc.

I'm not really familiar with how this process usually goes, so i'm not sure when composers usually start working on movie soundtracks.
He likes to work very privately, so I won't say much in order to respect that. But I think it's safe to say he's hard at work now, and has been for some time.


Skaan
Lorien


Jul 13 2013, 3:21pm


Views: 485
That's all i needed to hear
Thanks! Smile


Finrod
Rohan


Jul 13 2013, 3:21pm


Views: 488
Abbreviations
In Reply To
In Reply To
I suppose on further reflection "Smaug" might have simply been Doug's shorthand for DoS...
For some reason, I've been slow to adopt the standard Hobbit abbreviations. Sorry!
Yeah, I don’t understand why people don’t just use Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. It’s a whole lot easier that way.
…all eyes looked upon the ring; for he held it now aloft, and the green jewels gleamed there that the Noldor had devised in Valinor. For this ring was like to twin serpents, whose eyes were emeralds, and their heads met beneath a crown of golden flowers, that the one upheld and the other devoured; that was the badge of Finarfin and his house.
The Silmarillion, pp 150-151
while Felagund laughs beneath the trees
in Valinor and comes no more
to this grey world of tears and war.
The Lays of Beleriand, p 311


hutch
Rohan


Jul 13 2013, 6:11pm


Views: 476
Nice well balanced post
That's a very diplomatic point of view. I'm not a musician or businessman but I am the layman these films are marketed toward and all I can say about the switch up of AUJ's soundtrack is that it annoyed me to no end and seems less a CREATIVE decision than a MARKETING one (trying draw audiences back into LOTR, as if I couldn't do that with new pieces of music.)
It just seemed like such a lazy decision that dilutes the pieces of music when they get used agin in LOTR. If you have any contact with Howard Shore you can let him know that at least one person thinks the new music he created should've been used. Such a HUGE disappointment for me. I just don't know what happened to the Peter Jackson who didn't want to recycle himself or put "modern thinking" into Tolkien stories. Ah well.
Save the Texas Prairie Chicken.


TheHutt
Gondor


Jul 15 2013, 2:46pm


Views: 421
Music themes in DOS
While AUJ had much recycling concerning pre-existing themes (Shire, Rivendell, Galadriel, Gollum, Ring et al), I wonder if DOS would offer a chance to hear some extraordinary new themes. As we progress into the story, we visit new locations which would require their own themes, whereas the ones familiar through LOTR should become less and less.

What do you think?
Russian LOTR & Hobbit Site: Henneth-Annun.ru


Noria
Gondor

Jul 15 2013, 3:00pm


Views: 412
I hope so.
I thought the older themes used in AUJ worked OK as we revisited characters and places we had seen before in FotR, but I do hope we move on. I suppose that The Hobbit and Ring themes will still crop up and maybe A Hobbit's Understanding.

I love much of the new music in AUJ and the Erebor theme is one of my favourites. I wouldn't mind seeing it replace the Misty Mountains as the Dwarves primary theme.


Ref
Rivendell


Jul 15 2013, 3:18pm


Views: 418
RE: DanielLB
I am very disappointed in that decision. The London Philharmonic are just exceptional musicians and I worry for the score.

Having been to many classical concerts, the talent gap between good and sublime is immense.
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