The Lord of the Rings - How Howard Shore Uses Voices

* Howard's Shore scores for 'The Lord of the Rings' films are full of voices. They are used to accompany the cultures of Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits and Men and are the primary way we as listeners hear, and engage with, J.R.R. Tolkien's language and poetry. But this vocal music is as much associated with darkness as it is light. In this first of three videos looking at Howard's Shore music for 'The Lord of the Rings', I consider how Shore uses voices, and choral music, to accompany the One Ring's journey, from the Shire, all the way to the fires of Mount Doom.

VIDEOS IN THIS SERIES

FURTHER READING/RESEARCH

Judith Bernanke, "Howard Shore's Ring Cycle: The Film Score and Its Operatic Strategy" (From: Studying the Event Film: The Lord of the Rings) New York: Manchester University Press, 2008.

FURTHER WATCHING

#LordoftheRings #HowardShore

[CaptJackAubreyOfTheRoyalNavy]

Howard Shore is a criminally underrated composer. The LOTR score contains so many memorable themes in one film series that most composers would be lucky to write in their entire career.

[iancartier]

Lothlorien theme is absolutely out of this world.

[mythicdreams]

When Aragon charges the gates, the choir is singing his oath to Frodo in elvish 🥺

[filiphovland]

For me, this is undoubtedly the greatest movie scores ever to be written. No other composer could capture the feelings of grandeur, sorrow, despair and hope and joy.

[mukkaar]

It's pretty crazy how we got perfect director, actors and crew, music composer, investor and the actual time movie was made all in one movie.

[thepuffwerfulone]

Aragorn is able to quiet the temptation in both movie and music, he just mutes it.

[jolanchiquet]

i don"t understand why there isn't more views for these videos that are just amazing work

[samman]

One thing I noticed during the trilogy was the choral music that played when two Maiar fought, first between Gandalf and Saruman, and then between Gandalf and the Balrog. I think this was to show the importance of what was going on.

[CristiNeagu]

It's sad to think that I will never be able to watch these movies for the first time again, or that we may never have anything else like them ever again.

[lastlast]

I love that 2 decades later we're all still so in awe of these movies. A testament to Shore.

[tincanmaniac]

I always felt like the voices were a call back to the music of the Ainur. Whenever displays of great power were shown (not physical power), for example when gandalf rides out from Mina's tirith to save the riders, the emphasis shifts from instruments to the vocals. When gandalf rides out from Mina's Tirith and sends the Nazgul away, the voices drown out the instruments when he taps into his power.


Same thing when he heals Théodin. The voices drown out the instruments.

[funkydozer]

From those first few notes as Galadriel says "Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it" followed by the dark and ominous theme during the Lord Of The Rings title lit by fire, I knew - absolutely and without doubt KNEW - this was going to be the best film I would see in my lifetime, and my apprehension that somebody might have made a turkey of the most iconic fantasy literature ever created turned to vapour by the sound of Shore's masterpiece.

[masonjones]

As much as i try to cut my emotions off and keep them in check, whenever i hear the melodies of the films it tears down the walls i have erected around my heart.

[bsaacp]

Howard Shore did not just write the music for LOTR, he wrote an opera. I did not make this connection (consciously at least) until you quietly used the word 'opera' in your video. I have been a devoted fan of LOTR for over 50 years and yet you opened my eyes just a little further. Thank you for this video.

[Hello_there_obi]

Goddamn the music is just so moving. Nothing comes close.

[btCharlie_]

The first few chords that play when Barad-dur is destroyed are one of the most impactful music moments in all of film.

[JoeTheLion]

Shore a genius - so many associated with the trilogy were at the peak of their powers

[sharpw]

Lord of the rings music is so therapeutic and i’m going to say your voice makes it even better

[giorgiograffino]

Surely Shore's magnificent music score helps, but this video is almost a film on its own. I'm sincerely speechless. Bravo!

[hiiminafield]

You could make this whole channel about Howard Shore's score for LOTR, and I would happily watch every video for the rest of my life.
Also, the scene in ROTK where Legolas is trying to run to Aragorn to save him from the troll at the Black Gate gets me every time. Little moments like that are why the films are bloody perfect 👌🏻