The Lord Of The Rings Symphony

By Amy Somensky Jul 17, 2004, 18:30 GMT

The show started with a video from Howard Shore saying he wouldn’t be able to appear tonight, but that he hoped we enjoyed the night. I wondered if Shore was there whether he would have given any insight into the creation of the score. If anything was missing from the evening it was that. The entire performance was accompanied by video footage of a map of Middle Earth, story boards and concept art of the particular part of the score that was being performed at the moment. I for one was a little distracted by the video, since I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what was being portrayed in the art work. Anyone fairly familiar with the film should have been able to follow along since the symphony went in order and the major themes of each section were used. The music can speak for itself.

It is amazing the power of music and how it can tell a story so well. There was no dialogue, no actors, no special effects, but just the notes strung together can bring about such a detailed image in your mind. I could picture Gandalf falling into the abyss and see Frodo‘s face as he helplessly watches and cries out. I could see Treebeard and the rest of the ents marching toward Isengard, and Gollum plunging over into the fires of Mount Doom still clutching the ring he so desperately searched and fought for.

Every major theme is presented with The Fellowship of the Ring having more just due to the fact that more themes were originated in that film and repeated in The Two Towers and The Return of the King. The first score is my favorite anyway. Gollum’s Song and Into The West were performed, but strangely May It Be was left out. The other glaring omission in my opinion was the opening tract for The Two Towers, Foundations of Stone, when Gandalf fights the balrog.

The orchestra was accompanied by The Philadelphia Singers Chorale, The Keystone State Boy choir, and vocalist Sissel.

There were a few problems with the microphones of the vocalist, Sissel, especially during Gollum’s Song, when she was almost completely inaudible.

The Lord of the Rings Symphony is not just for fans of the film, it can be enjoyed just by people who love great music.

4.5 stars out of 5