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Soundtracks of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy

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The soundtracks to The Lord of the Rings film trilogy were composed and conducted by Howard Shore. The scores use a technique called leitmotif, which is a musical phrase associated with a character, a feeling, an event, etc.

The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of the King's scores won Academy Awards in 2002 and 2004. The Return of the King also won an Academy Award for the Best Song.

Howard Shore composed a huge number of leitmotifs for the trilogy; some have estimated the amount to be eighty.[citation needed]

Principal leitmotifs[]

First appearance in The Fellowship of the Ring[]

  • The One Ring theme: a minor-key string melody plays over the "Lord of the Rings" title card for all three films. Howard Shore hints in the production commentary for the film that it is a theme pertaining, in fact, to Gondor.
  • Concerning Hobbits. The theme for the Shire. On the soundtrack, it starts by a solo flute playing the theme, followed by a solo violin and then the complete orchestra repeating this theme. The track then quiets down and the solo flute plays a second melody, followed by the orchestra. The track ends with the violin and then the flute repeating the first melody.
  • Middle-earth motif. (When Frodo and Sam are in the corn field and Sam says: "If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been."
  • Rivendell theme. First introduced on the track, "Many Meetings" and used throughout the trilogy.
  • Isengard. Orc Theme, usually accompanied by a 5/4 rhythm in the percussion. (When we see Isengard or Orcs)
  • Lothlórien. The Elf theme played in the Prologue and when the Fellowship enters Lórien
  • Nazgûl motif. (When the Ringwraiths appear)
  • Mordor theme. Played on the rhaita. (When we see Barad-dûr or when Mordor is mentioned)
  • Fellowship theme. The main theme of the Trilogy played when the Fellowship pledges their allegiance to Frodo, or when they all run to the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.

First appearance in The Two Towers[]

  • Gollum's motif.
  • Éowyn's theme. Using open fifth intervals (lacking the third of the chord—this lack means that the chords cannot be defined as major or minor).
  • Rohan motif. Featuring the hardanger fiddle.
  • Evenstar.
  • The March of the Ents, though the theme is first heard while Gandalf is trapped in Isengard.

First appearance in The Return of the King[]

  • Minas Tirith/Realm of Gondor Theme, though this was hinted at during the Council of Elrond, and also existed in the Extended Two Towers DVD.
  • Mithrandir/Grey Havens theme. Featured in Into the West, by Annie Lennox.

Songs[]

Track listings[]

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring[]

First release by Reprise Records. It (and all Lord soundtracks) was released on that label as it is also Enya's label on which she records.

First film track listing[]

  1. The Prophecy (lyrics: Philippa Boyens; 3:55)
  2. Concerning Hobbits (2:55)
  3. The Shadow of the Past (3:32)
  4. The Treason of Isengard (4:00)
  5. The Black Rider (2:48)
  6. At the Sign of the Prancing Pony (3:14)
  7. A Knife in the Dark (3:34)
  8. Flight to the Ford (4:14)
  9. Many Meetings (3:05)
  10. The Council of Elrond (lyrics: Roma Ryan; 3:49) - feat. "Aníron (Theme for Aragorn and Arwen)", composed and performed by Enya
  11. The Ring Goes South (2:03)
  12. A Journey in the Dark (4:20)
  13. The Bridge of Khazad-dûm (5:57)
  14. Lothlórien (lyrics: Boyens, Shore; 4:33) - feat. "Lament for Gandalf" by Philippa Boyens and Howard Shore, performed by Elizabeth Fraser
  15. The Great River (2:42)
  16. Amon Hen (5:02)
  17. The Breaking of the Fellowship (lyrics: Fran Walsh, Shore; 7:20) - feat. "In Dreams" by Fran Walsh and Howard Shore, performed by Edward Ross
  18. May It Be (lyrics: Ryan; 4:19) - composed and performed by Enya


The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Complete Recordings[]

Second release by Reprise Records. This release also includes a DVD-Audio disc containing the entire score in 5.1 and 2.0 surround sound (at 48 kHz, 24-bit).

First film Complete Recordings track listing[]

First film Complete Recordings disc 1[]
  1. Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All – 7:16
  2. The Shire – 2:29
  3. Bag End – 4:35
  4. Very Old Friends – 3:12
  5. Flaming Red Hair – 2:39
  6. Farewell Dear Bilbo – 1:45
  7. Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe – 8:45
  8. A Conspiracy Unmasked – 6:09
  9. Three Is Company – 1:58
  10. The Passing Of The Elves – 2:39
  11. Saruman the White – 4:09
  12. A Shortcut To Mushrooms – 4:07
  13. Strider – 2:34
  14. The Nazgûl – 6:04
First film Complete Recordings disc 2[]
  1. Weathertop – 2:14
  2. The Caverns Of Isengard – 4:54
  3. Give Up the Halfling – 4:49
  4. Orthanc – 1:06
  5. Rivendell – 3:26
  6. The Sword That Was Broken – 3:34
  7. The Council Of Elrond Assembles – 4:01
  8. The Great Eye – 5:30
  9. Gilraen's Memorial – 5:01
  10. The Pass of Caradhras – 5:04
  11. The Doors of Durin – 6:03
  12. Moria – 2:27
  13. Gollum – 2:26
  14. Balin's Tomb – 8:30
First film Complete Recordings disc 2[]
  1. Khazad-dum – 8:00
  2. Caras Galadhon – 9:20
  3. The Mirror of Galadriel – 6:21
  4. The Fighting Uruk-hai – 11:32
  5. Parth Galen – 9:13
  6. The Departure of Boromir – 5:29
  7. The Road Goes Ever On...(Pt. 1) – 5:58
  8. May It Be – 3:26
  9. The Road Goes Ever On... Pt. 2 (feat. "In Dreams", performed by Edward Ross) – 3:41

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers[]

Second film track listing[]

  1. Foundations of Stone (3:51)
  2. The Taming of Sméagol (2:48)
  3. The Riders of Rohan (4:05)
  4. The Passage of the Marshes (2:46)
  5. The Uruk-hai (2:58)
  6. The King of the Golden Hall (3:49)
  7. The Black Gate Is Closed (3:17)
  8. Evenstar (3:15) - feat. Isabel Bayrakdarian
  9. The White Rider (2:28)
  10. Treebeard (2:43)
  11. The Leave Taking (3:41)
  12. Helm's Deep (3:53)
  13. The Forbidden Pool (5:27)
  14. Breath of Life (5:07) - feat. Sheila Chandra
  15. The Hornburg (4:36)
  16. Forth Eorlingas (3:15) - feat. Ben Del Maestro
  17. Isengard Unleashed (5:01) - feat. Elizabeth Fraser and Ben Del Maestro
  18. Samwise the Brave (3:46)
  19. Gollum's Song (5:51) - performed by Emilíana Torrini, lyrics by Fran Walsh

Limited edition bonus track


The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: The Complete Recordings[]

Second film Complete Recordings track listing[]

Second film Complete Recordings disc 1[]
  1. Glamdring (3:50)
  2. Elven Rope (2:19)
  3. Lost in Emyn Muil (4:14)
  4. My Precious (2:56)
  5. Ugluk's Warriors (1:41)
  6. The Three Hunters (6:12)
  7. The Banishment of Éomer (3:54)
  8. Night Camp (2:50)
  9. The Plains of Rohan (4:14)
  10. Fangorn (5:13)
  11. The Dead Marshes (5:07)
  12. Wraiths on Wings (2:07)
  13. Gandalf the White (6:47)
  14. The Dreams of Trees (1:54)
  15. The Heir of Númenor (6:50)
  16. Ent-draught (2:53)
Second film Complete Recordings disc 2[]
  1. Edoras (4:34)
  2. The Court of Meduseld (3:10)
  3. Théoden King (feat. "The Funeral of Théodred" performed by Miranda Otto) (6:12)
  4. The King's Decision (2:07)
  5. Exodus from Edoras (5:42)
  6. The Forests of Ithilien (6:37)
  7. One of the Dúnedain (feat. "Evenstar" performed by Isabel Bayrakdarian) (7:13)
  8. The Wolves of Isengard (4:22)
  9. Refuge at Helm's Deep (3:59)
  10. The Voice of Saruman (1:11)
  11. Arwen's Fate (feat. "The Grace of the Valar" performed by Sheila Chandra) (3:58)
  12. The Story Foretold (3:58)
  13. Sons of the Steward (6:02)
  14. Rock and Pool (2:54)
  15. Faramir's Good Council (2:20)
Second film Complete Recordings disc 3[]
  1. Aragorn's Return (2:11)
  2. War is Upon Us (3:35)
  3. "Where is the Horse and the Rider?" (6:15)
  4. The Host of the Eldar (2:50)
  5. The Battle of the Hornburg (2:52)
  6. The Breach of the Deeping Wall (3:03)
  7. The Entmoot Decides (2:06)
  8. Retreat (feat. "Haldir's Lament" performed by Elizabeth Fraser) (4:40)
  9. Master Peregrin's Plan (2:31)
  10. The Last March of the Ents (feat. Ben Del Maestro) (2:31)
  11. The Nazgûl Attack (2:45)
  12. Théoden Rides Forth (feat. Ben Del Maestro) (5:47)
  13. The Tales That Really Matter (12:01)
  14. "Long Ways to Go Yet" (feat. "Gollum's Song" performed by Emilíana Torrini) (8:05)

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King[]

Third film track listing[]

  1. A Storm Is Coming (2:52)
  2. Hope and Memory (1:45)
  3. Minas Tirith (3:37) - featuring Ben Del Maestro
  4. The White Tree (3:25)
  5. The Steward of Gondor (3:53) - featuring Billy Boyd
  6. Minas Morgul (1:58)
  7. The Ride of the Rohirrim (2:08)
  8. Twilight and Shadow (3:30) - featuring Renée Fleming
  9. Cirith Ungol (1:44)
  10. Andúril (2:35)
  11. Shelob's Lair (4:07)
  12. Ash and Smoke (3:25)
  13. The Fields of the Pelennor (3:26)
  14. Hope Fails (2:20)
  15. The Black Gate Opens (4:01) - featuring Sir James Galway
  16. The End of All Things (5:12) - featuring Renée Fleming
  17. The Return of the King (10:14) - featuring Sir James Galway, Viggo Mortensen, and Renée Fleming
  18. The Grey Havens (5:59) - featuring Sir James Galway
  19. Into the West (5:47) - words and music by Fran Walsh, Howard Shore and Annie Lennox; performed by Annie Lennox

Limited edition bonus DVD

  1. Use Well the Days (3:10) - performed by Annie Lennox


The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: The Complete Recordings[]

Third film Complete Recordings track listing[]

Third film Complete Recordings disc 1[]
  1. Roots and Beginnings (6:31)
  2. Journey to the Crossroads (2:17)
  3. The Road to Isengard (2:18)
  4. The Foot of Orthanc (4:44)
  5. Return to Edoras (1:51)
  6. The Chalice Passed (1:50)
  7. The Green Dragon (feat. Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan) (0:34)
  8. Gollum's Villainy (2:10)
  9. Éowyn's Dream (1:24)
  10. The Palantír (3:10)
  11. Flight from Edoras (2:18)
  12. The Grace of Undómiel (feat. Renée Fleming) (6:21)
  13. The Eyes of the White Tower (4:33)
  14. A Coronal of Silver and Gold (8:26)
  15. The Lighting of the Beacons (9:03)
Third film Complete Recordings disc 2[]
  1. Osgiliath Invaded (feat. Ben Del Maestro) (8:47)
  2. The Stair of Cirith Ungol (2:40)
  3. Allegiance to Denethor (3:19)
  4. The Sacrifice of Faramir (feat. "The Edge of Night", performed by Billy Boyd) (4:08)
  5. The Parting of Frodo and Sam (4:04)
  6. Marshalling at Dunharrow (4:56)
  7. Andúril - Flame of the West (3:27)
  8. The Passing of the Grey Company (4:12)
  9. Dwimorberg - The Haunted Mountain (2:26)
  10. Master Meriadoc, Swordthain (1:39)
  11. The Paths of the Dead (6:22)
  12. The Siege of Gondor (9:01)
  13. Shelob's Lair (8:53)
  14. Merry's Simple Courage (2:08)
Third film Complete Recordings disc 3[]
  1. Grond - The Hammer of the Underworld (1:32)
  2. Shelob the Great (5:12)
  3. The Tomb of the Stewards (3:58)
  4. The Battle of Pelennor Fields (4:10)
  5. The Pyre of Denethor (2:59)
  6. The Mûmakil (0:57)
  7. Dernhelm in Battle (2:06)
  8. "A Far Green Country" (1:27)
  9. Shieldmaiden of Rohan (5:07)
  10. The Passing of Théoden (2:16)
  11. The Houses of Healing (feat. Liv Tyler) (2:58)
  12. The Tower of Cirith Ungol (4:41)
  13. The Last Debate (feat. "Asëa Aranion", performed by Sissel) (4:21)
  14. The Land of Shadow (6:29)
  15. The Mouth of Sauron (feat. Sir James Galway) (8:15)
  16. "For Frodo" (feat. Ben Del Maestro) (3:16)
Third film Complete Recordings disc 4[]
  1. Mount Doom (feat. Renée Fleming) (4:09)
  2. The Crack of Doom (4:01)
  3. The Eagles (feat. Renée Fleming) (2:23)
  4. The Fellowship Reunited (feat. Sir James Galway, Viggo Mortensen, and Renée Fleming) (12:18)
  5. The Journey to the Grey Havens (feat. Sir James Galway) (7:34)
  6. Elanor (feat. Sir James Galway) (1:27)
  7. Days of the Ring (feat. "Into The West", performed by Annie Lennox) (11:09)
  8. Bilbo's Song (2:57)

See also[]

External links[]

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