The Lord of the Rings is a MASTERCLASS in Theme Writing

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[@CharlesCornellStudios]

Rather than taking random sponsorships that may not be relevant to you, for a while now, we've opted to support the channel by building things I hope will be much more useful for you and actually help you achieve something in music! That's why we originally launched the Cornell Music Academy. Your support has been overwhelming since, and I don't tell you all enough how appreciative I am of that. Our most recent bundle sale will be wrapping up at the end of this week, so if you want to grab 4 courses for the price of one AND support this channel while you learn to play the piano, check out The Complete Pianist bundle! cornellmusicacademy.com/the-complete-pianist

[@IdentifiantE.S]

That’s the best choice respect !

[@xUshiro]

Would love to see your breakdown and reaction to music from the Halo video game series. A couple songs that I know you would enjoy would be: Halo 3 ODST - Deference for Darkness, Halo Wars - Spirit of Fire, Halo 3 - One Final Effort, and Halo 3 - Tribute.

[@lolclevername]

Hi Charles, big shout out to your introduction course. I bought it August last year having no prior experience with playing an instrument. I've just sat my grade 1 exam in my 30s and am well on my piano journey with an in person teacher every week. Just want to thank you and your course for helping me find a new passion, learning to play the piano has been incredibly fulfilling and I look forward to practicing every day!

[@a.katherinesuetterlin3028]

I ended up pausing my music work in favor of seeking my own place away from my biological father. He's a musician too, but a narcissistic individual whose boundaries are negligible. Unfortunately, my housing situation does not currently allow me to get my own electronic keyboard, due to lack of finances and space, and lack of proper amounts of modern electrical outlets. I live in a hotel-turned-apartment building that is on the National Historic registry, so the remodeling company had to leave a lot of the original two-prong outlets. Long story short, I miss playing and my skills are rusty as anything. 😖 I would get a cheap 60-something-note keyboard, but I really want to have a keyboard that will hook up into a computer program for digital composition purposes. A cheap piece of something won't cut it. And I want serious bells n whistles when it comes to the sound banks/sampling potential. 😅 Watching you only gets me fired up about finding a place that is more suitable -- so I can purchase the courses (especially music theory) that will get me back in the proverbial saddle. 😅

[@ctam79]

People forget he also scored The Silence of the Lambs. Epic in a different way.

[@Dottor_J]

Id happily watch a hour of LOTR music analysis honestly

[@CrateCrasher]

same!

[@povilzem]

Longer!

[@Andjelka99]

There's one great yt video that does deep dive into it. Devoured it as soon as it came up in recommended

[@bygon432]

There's a guy called Monoverantus who has analysed every single track of it... Mindblowing

+

[@tomcharles5910]

The LOTR soundtrack is one of the only scores that can consistently make my hair stand on end, my pulse rise, my courage swell and my tears fall. It never gets old, a perfect match to this legendary story

[@jessedavies]

I listen to it while playing disc golf with my friends and without fail during a round we will all pause and just take in the music 🤯❤️

[@wingedhybrid16]

Same 😭

[@gabor6259]

The Star Trek theme is epic too.

[@hasindurajapakse9842]

Fr! So does the how to train your dragon songss

[@oldfarthacks]

It is very Wagnerian in it's feel.

[@MicaelGrenholm]

The flag of Rohan being ripped away by the wind was actually a happy accident as the crew was filming. They thought it was so perfect that they then added a scene in which the flag lands near Aragorn. And the music brings it together beautifully!

[@DimkaTsv]

Really? Hmm i had always thought that it was intentionally made with hidden string to rip apart.

[@DanielGBenesScienceShows]

@@DimkaTsvIt definitely looked intentional, but that location was incredibly windy and the fabric finally had enough and broke free. It could have happened at any time but luckily it was during a take with the cameras rolling. And like Micael said above, Peter loved the way it looked, and what it could represent in the story, so they shot a scene with the flag landing (which took several takes). It was definitely a beautiful accident in film history.

[@crazyolben_]

The flag being ripped away was intentional, however where it landed (next to Aragorn) was not

[@studiompodcastnetwork5119]

Sorry but I highly doubt that. Coming from someone that’s worked on a handful of films as both an extra and a grip, NOTHING happens by mistake on a film set and is just accepted and used by the director or editor. Film crews spend hours upon hours each day of filming, bringing the EXACT vision of the director to life, and never is something that’s an accident makes it into the final film, let along affect other shots like the flag landing at Aragorn’s feet and him reacting to it.

[@crazyolben_]

@@studiompodcastnetwork5119 peter Jackson said where it landed was an accident on the behind the scenes extras

[@sven-sandershestakov5201]

I'll never stop repeating this - even though the other greats, like Zimmer and Williams have written far more iconic soundtracks, the LOTR score is still by far the greatest achievement in film scoring.

[@viv8871]

Agreed 100%. I'll listen to Williams and Zimmer tracks individually, and sometimes remixes in different ways, but the LotR soundtrack is the only one I'd start fron track 1 in Fellowship and listen straight through to the last track in Return of the King. Shore built an entire world with his score and it's so wonderful.

[@IZn0g0uDatAll]

Really, really, really not.

[@pigskinpoetry]

100%

[@sivad1025]

Idk, Revenge of the Sith is really a masterclass in film score. The way John Williams weaves together all the unique themes from the prior films is incredible. He even has small touches like the chords from Luke and Leia's themes when Anakin talks about Padme's babies (in Anakin's Nightmare). Star Wars and LOTR are neck and neck for me

[@ClimateChangeKids]

I’m tempted to agree. Williams has moments in some scores, but the breadth of LOTR’s has me leaning that direction. Nice analysis in this video.

[@jennymcelligott]

When people don’t include LOTR in their top soundtracks of all time, I don’t trust them. It’s a masterpiece and so intricate.

[@plootyluvsturtle9843]

there’s so many soundtracks that I love but there’s nothing that I’ve ever seen that’s as good as the LOTR soundtrack

[@ZZubZZero]

The only reason to leave out the LOTR soundtrack is because it's just in a league of its own.

[@Vijay-tg7hf]

@@ZZubZZero 100% lol

[@DefenestrateYourself]

It’s a score, not a soundtrack. Pedantic comment I know 😂

[@valeaves]

@@DefenestrateYourselfI‘m ashamed that I don‘t know the difference. Might you explain?

[@Skip6235]

FYI, Spotify has the complete 1:1 score for all three extended edition movies. It’s 12 hours of pure musical bliss

[@itsdanc]

how to find it

[@dawry9408]

@@itsdanc Search "[Title of the movie i.e. Return of the King] Complete Recordings".

[@plain_simple_garak]

You can find it here as well with the same search

[@matthewarant377]

The complete recordings are literally a gift to mankind

[@paynedehaven1600]

do you happen to know which track is @3:16

[@colind6281]

I had the honor to sing the boy solo when the lotr symphony was first played on European soil in Antwerp Sportpaleis Belgium. Conducted by Howard Shore himself. I will never forget this!

[@suzannelucero86]

You must have a marvelous voice. Thank you for sharing your memories. The LOTR score is my favorite music and lives eternally in my heart. I imagine it lives in your heart as well.

[@michaelperez7275]

Epic

[@TallisKeeton]

I was there in 2004 - it was epic :)

[@appaloosa42]

You have been BLESSED!

[@daveyharrison9627]

I love that Shore uses Hardanger fiddle to introduce the hauntingly beautiful Rohan theme. It feels delicate, ancient, and yet unwavering. Definitely my favorite theme in the trilogy.

[@AW-uv3cb]

same!

[@mamatix77]

The charge of the rohirrim is really one of the best scene I've seen in my entire life. Goosebumps every damn time, I love it !

[@Andjelka99]

I cry to it 9/10 times. Especially if I haven't seen movie in a bit

[@mrterry1756]

Bernard Hill really nailed with his performance in the movies. Peter Jackson was clever enough to hire the real life Aragorn, Gandalf, Theoden, and other actors that make me think they were born for their characters in this series of movies.

@@Andjelka99 Hard same.

[@jakekunz5168]

it’s the subliminal buildup to the huge release of the moment like he talked about. The theme building in these movies is second to none

[@SJKRoberts]

I tear up when I first heard it

[@trexation]

Howard Shore created something really unique. He gave Middle Earth a voice, a soul, a feel. The scripts are amazing, the acting is as well. Everything about the Lord Of The Rings is magnificent. However the score added so much more to the entire work. As a composer myself I am so happy to live in a time in which people like Williams, Zimmer, Shore, Morricone, Elfman etc. give us these immortal treasures of music.

[@n3tw0rk_n3k0]

Considering that the world of Arda was created from the music of the Ainur, this comment is fitting.

[@emanuelosorio9610]

Shore also sought to emulate the Ring Cycle. When asked what he thought that some people call the LOTR music 'Wagnerian,' he replied: Well, yes, it is.

[@vertigo0105]

I would add James Horner that list too ;)

[@gerbulus]

Thanks for mentioning Elfman. It always feels he is not in the same league as the other greats, but he is. Everything he writes is spot on and timeless.

[@miladydewinter8551]

How privileged we are

[@thealexlad_]

You may know, but Shore also said that as he wrote the music with the original books as his guide, unintended but wonderful interplay among themes arose later in the score, which he attributed to Tolkien's astonishing writing.

[@par32]

That’s awesome

[@RainWasTaken]

Howard Shore getting Enya to sing ‘May It Be’ was one of the best choices he made with the music. Amazing singer and she nailed that song.

[@bethourekt6361]

The music of the Lord of the Rings reminds us that there is still some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for.

[@WarpRulez]

Apparently they didn't intend for the flag to be ripped away by the wind, and it was an accidental prop malfunction. However, it serendipitously looked so extraordinarily symbolic that they ran with it.

[@KillerOfWhales]

Similarly, did you know that when Aragorn screams really loudly when he kicks an orc helmet

[@Simpleburger1968]

I wonder: did they film Miranda Otto's close-up reaction afterwards to fit in ?

[@smilingkelly5251]

@@KillerOfWhalesI love that you didn’t finish the statement but EVERYONE knows what you mean

[@TheSaniss]

@@KillerOfWhales oh yeah and also the scene when Saruman is stabbed in the back and

[@entropybentwhistle]

I imagine the continuation of the flag ripping away where it lands next to Aragorn at the gate was filmed intentionally to take advantage of the accident and give it continuity and work as a serendipitous foreshadowing.

[@wrorchestra1]

Peter Jackson had one criteria for a theme - it had to be hummable. I love the fact that the first time you hear the Gondor theme is in solo French Horn over the Council of Elrond scene. You don't hear it properly until the arrival at Minas Tirith in Return of the King (unless you count the Osgiliath deleted scene in the Two Towers extended edition).

[@evilsharkey8954]

Yeah, it’s just a little ditty in the background while Boromir is giving a speech.

[@Sammy71ful]

@@evilsharkey8954 Apparently that "ditty" then BECAME the Gondor theme, i.e. the original tune was not intended to be major theme in the trilogy; just some music to fill in the scene. I love that bit of trivia 😄

[@carmenthequeen]

Wrong. You hear it again in Lothlorien when Boromir speaks of his father and Gondor. But after that you hear it for the first time in full swing in Minas Tirith.

[@wrorchestra1]

@@carmenthequeen no, that's the theme of the White Tree. Similar chord structure, simpler melody but not yet theme of Gondor.

[@LordofFullmetal]

I remember watching another video that discussed this - apparently it's a common "rule" for movie soundtracks. The more hummable a theme is - that is, the more distinct and clear - the more memorable it is. Often, when you can't really remember a soundtrack, it's because it's not hummable.

[@marcushead9985]

Hans Zimmer has created some really interesting themes and sounds that live in my head. I've listened to John Williams literally as long as I can remember, and the music of Star Wars in particular is written on my heart. But with Lord of the Rings, Howard Shore somehow set up shop in my soul, and never left.

[@Makapaa]

I can pretty confidently say that the only score from Zimmers' absolutely fantastic library that can claim standing as a peer with Shores' epic LOTR scores has to be "Up is Down" from Pirates 3 (played in the capsizing The Pearl scene). It has that similar wittiness of "hobbitry", multiple layers of themes overlapping and intertwining together to create something bigger and just the sheer epicness of adventure that most LOTR tracks have - even if the "overall" genre/style is completely different!

[@susanahoakenshield1293]

You have described perfectly my feelings. Thank you!

[@lyrand6408]

@@Makapaa In the world of video games I'd say Inon Zur has a style comparable to Zimmer (to some extent). Probably Jeremy Soule as well (who composed the famous soundtracks of the Elder Scrolls games, mostly Oblivion and Skyrim). I've yet to hear a genuine John Williams 'style' of music in gaming though (then again I didn't play all video games to know about this, maybe I just never heard it).

[@prisonmike6210]

@@Makapaa I may be biased but I would think Davy Jone's theme song could stand up there as well.

[@Makapaa]

@@lyrand6408 I LOVE Zur's music! (CoH:Opposing Fronts is one of my favorite RTS OSTs!) Personally I don't really see/hear too much similarity between Zimmer, Zur or even Soule but that hugely depends which parts of their "repertoire" one is most familiar with - each of them have absolute massive range and know how to work with it!

[@gabrielberger7439]

I’d thoroughly recommend the book “The Music of The Lord of the Rings” by Doug Adams, who was able to sit in on much of the music-making process of the films. It covers every single theme used in the trilogy and then musically analyses every scene from start to finish

[@itznoxy7193]

Seconded. One of the greatest books on film music in my collection.

[@edopronk1303]

Ooh! I'm gonna buy that.

[@rickl1099]

Brilliant book.

[@Avyncentia]

Thanks for the recommendation! Just ordered.

[@vsoestharm]

Just ordered😊

[@valarya]

I've listened to this soundtrack 1,000 times over the past 22 years and yet I still got goosebumps @ 3:16. Thank you Howard Shore, and thank you Charles!

[@costacafj]

Still fills my eyes with tears, how a soundtrack can extract so much emotion in seconds

[@maxvanderstricht1159]

It's insane honestly. I personally associate that theme with heroes and feel heroic when listening to it. It's so ridiculously powerful.

[@MCowie]

I love it too. I also like the music when the beacons are being lit.

[@fuzzywumble]

I can't believe it's been over 20 years since I first watched these movies! I literally got the chills in the intro to this video!

[@inlonging]

Sitting here with goosebumps

[@unLUCKY95]

The Rohirrim arriving at the battle of Pelennor Fields is my favourite scene from any movie, ever. The music when they arrive making you feel the uncertainty of both armies, Theoden's incredible speech with the music building as the camera pans out to reveal the full might of the Rohirrim army, the "DEEEAATH!" battle cry, deafening horn sounding, and then that epic charge. Gets me every time without fail.

[@AW-uv3cb]

PREACH!

[@willemthijssen1082]

And then the subdued Rohan theme, just the strings. Makes you feel that, although they're uncertain, they've committed. The brass taking over makes you feel their confidence building. And the brutal cut off when they hit the orc lines, giving you the unadulterated horror of war. Simply perfect

[@mrsullivan1709]

One of the best scenes ever in film.

[@Geohillierneo]

I remember going to watch The Two Towers at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing live...... it was then I realised that the score is literally playing all the way through the movie, and it made me realise just how incredibly important Howard Shore's score was. That trilogy would not have been the same without the incredibly hard work that Shore put in.

[@xxdrosexx]

I'm going next month - I'm crazy excited!

[@TrulyMadlyShallowly]

Except for Moria. There is a notable silence there

[@christinehunt625]

❤

[@Mk-ly9re]

@@TrulyMadlyShallowly and isn't that the point, an abyss and a notable silence. quite often it is the lack of sound that is the loudest of all.

[@eriktempelman2097]

Yes! I was also slow to realise that it is everything. Including the amazing stuff with the monsters: the Watcher in the Water, the Balrog, Sheelob, they each have a track of their own 😊

[@ClaireMarieSpencer]

I will forever believe the music underneath Gandalf telling Pippin about the "Far green country" is an absolute masterclass in how very simple harmonic progression and melody can be the most powerful way to underscore a moment. Howard Shore had a lot of complex harmonic/melodic moments , but he also knew when to let a simple melody play, moving between the I, IV, and V. That type of restraint is what makes this score legendary.

[@sivad1025]

I only just realized that scene is the orchestration of Into the West, the credits song about the elves sailing to Valinor. The orchestration also pops up when Sam carries Frodo and when Frodo sails to Valinor. It's another theme that's introduced with melancholy strings but reprised with brass fanfare.

[@kechegoyen]

Choosing Howard Shore to write the soundtrack was probably the best thing Peter Jackson did in directing these movies. It's perfect. So glad you made this video!

[@abelsuisse9671]

Hard to say what the best thing was, because the 3 movies are absolutely perfect.

[@hamnchee]

I loved the movies except for the horrible cgi and special effects and overly indulgent action sequences and poor writing and bad acting and casting e.g. why does Frodo look like an elf e.g. why weren't little people cast as Hobbits.

[@Rystefn]

@@hamnchee Hobbits aren't little people, so why would they cast little people as hobbits? That's ridiculous. Elves are tall, so why didn't they cast people with gigantism to play all the elves? You know that already. And it's the same answer.

[@hamnchee]

@@Rystefn Elves aren't that much taller than men. Also, people with giganticism aren't elvish looking. Elijah Wood looks like an elf.

[@facelessandnameless]

@@hamncheeYou’re everything that’s wrong with the world today.

[@tlotpwist3417]

The inclusion of elven, including some some songs straight up written by Tolkien, in many choirs, is an example of the brilliant collective work done on these films to weave a cohesive world as memorable as in the book.

[@LisaMarli]

I'll admit, I was disappointed it wasn't Williams when Shore was announced. But Jackson said, he didn't really want it to sound like Williams. He wanted something different. And yes, I love what Shore did. He created incredible themes that worked well through six films. Oh my Go to Bed alarm just went off. It is the Hobbits theme from LoTR. I love its gentleness, urging me to rest. Did I mention I love what Shore did?

[@DustinKreidler]

This soundtrack is goosebumps literally every 15-20 minutes. Huge, brilliantly designed set pieces and action... and Howard Shore's music ELEVATES all of it. It doesn't just "support," it directly improves and elevates every element. Brilliance abounds across all three movies.

[@__-fm5qv]

I love that when the Rohan theme comes back, though its strong and sort of triumphant, its also still mixed with pain. It's the defeated soldier regaining his strength to stand his ground, and while that is a victory in of itself, the battle still isn't won and wounds still aren't healed. And so through the truimph the theme still carries its weakness with it, rising in spite of it, with renewed determination and trepidation of whats to come.

[@ecyor0]

It's honestly pretty amazing how Theoden's speech before the charge is so uplifting and inspiring, even though the actual meat of his speech is "this is gonna suck, people are gonna die".

[@jakekunz5168]

That fact that we all see this and feel this is how you know it’s perfect. The theme makes me feel like i can fight any battle but also like I have lost a friend

[@L.L.MacRae]

So much this! Always makes me well up when I hear that part and see Theoden finally stand

[@plain_simple_garak]

That's exactly right, because Theoden is more or less alone in his fatalism about the fate of men in Middle Earth. He believes they have no chance, that they'll all die, but he rides out to meet them anyway. They scream "Death!" as they charge. And as you describe, the music reflects those conflicting feelings perfectly in all these instances

[@EmperorofJuice]

@@ecyor0 In the books this has a lot of meaning because the gift that Men were given when they were created was death. Sauron had offered lasting life to those that would serve him so the speech is spitting in the face of Sauron and denying him by accepting death as it approached, as well as the drive to go down fighting rather than accepting fate. (To be clear I am not saying the books are better, I actually love both versions equally, but with context from the books this scene becomes even more impactful :) )

[@MisterJackmanB]

I'm so glad you talked about this. My favorite musical moment from the films is the lighting of the beacons when both the Gondor and Rohan themes are melded together so wonderfully. Gondor calls, and Rohan answers.

[@maryeckel9682]

I get such goosebumps from that sequence!

[@alyssaberard8180]

My favorite sequence in the whole trilogy

[@elizabethyamashita1873]

Yes! That is my favorite too!

[@erynwald2164]

One of my favourite scenes from any film ever. And it has no dialogue!

[@msc2232]

Same

[@trev9168]

The Rohan theme is my favorite theme of the entire trilogy, so much subtlety and beauty within this piece

[@facelessandnameless]

Same

[@jdawgtor]

On my most recent rewatch of LoTR, I noticed the Rohan theme and straight up cheered when the theme changes from strings to brass when the King is healed to give it that triumphant feel. And when they bring back the strings and then the entire brass section when they ride to battle. I couldn't keep myself from crying from just how masterful the music is used. Bravo Howard Shore!

[@jakekunz5168]

right makes me wanna charge into battle lol

[@alecmonaghan1160]

The Rohan theme transitioning to the brass and more triumphant represents Rohan and Gondor finally reuniting as well.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

@@jakekunz5168 DEATH!

[@jakekunz5168]

The LOTR soundtrack…they really took every emotion that humans can experience and put you through them with music. Listening back to it you hear horror, thriller, action, inspiration, love, and loss all in a fantasy movie. Incredible. Part of the reason your heart can’t help but love this story

[@jeffreydean5112]

Greatest score ever. There’s one part in the 3rd movie where stopping the music was just as effective as the music itself. When the oliphants showed up in Pelennor fields, the rohirrem turned towards them and charged. The music was triumphant and really confident. Then the oliphant swing it’s tusk, took out a bunch of guys and the music (like the charge) came to a screeching halt. Just amazing.

[@TheSGman66]

When the Rohan theme becomes more full and glorious it really matches Theoden's character story. A king and father who's son is dead but still pushes to lead his people. Unlike Denethor. I love how it builds and grows more glorious up to the battle of Pelennor Fields.

[@sulrana1812]

Denethor believes his son is dead and gives up, Theoden knows his line has ended and chooses to take a stand and fight anyway. It’s a great contrast

[@MrNicoJac]

I never really contrasted Denethor and Theoden in my head before... But that's a very interesting comparison!

[@woodenrocks2445]

It's also definitely worth noting Shore's brilliant use of the Gondor theme for the lighting of the beacons scene. Chills every time there.

[@Sophie-hm7yz]

Oh I love that scene! The music is amazing.

[@evilsharkey8954]

That scene IS the Gondor theme!

[@trevorrobertsondoublebass4233]

I think I remember hearing the flag getting torn away at Edoras by the wind wasn’t scripted. It was just a windy day and they happened to catch the moment on film. It’s such a powerful moment for setting the mood in that scene.

[@theirishviking9278]

kzbin.infoUgkx4xf8CRmG8S60d_uaR0-26FQYvf3GWoQ9 nope scripted

[@TomorrowWeLive]

Its really amazing when you consider how much the score 'speaks', how much it communicates to the audience about a particular moment, about a character's emotions, without words. It's inpossible to imagine those scenes without it.

[@siegfriedkleinmartins7816]

The score literaly speaks. At the end of the Counsil in Rivendel Elrond says "You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring" . Pay attention to the music, underlining the words with perfection.

[@airshieldcombo12345]

Shore's music with Jackson's direction is, in my opinion, the most epic soundtrack ever to go with the most epic movie(s). Nobody does locations and sets like this anymore, its all green screen. The sheer number of themes and different applications is insane. You could do a series of all the main themes and I'd watch every one multiple times.

[@LuCmm]

Clicked instantly when i saw the title

[@randomuser8593]

Same

[@cloudrider7386]

I went out of my way to get something to eat for this video

[@danielj6897]

Same lol. Clicked the like button before the ads had even finished

[@yeasr7781]

Clickbait achieved

[@Finn959]

Because of the all caps

[@tijmenvde4299]

This was really cool. The thing that also never fails to give me goosebumps with this soundtrack is the use of abrupt silence at impactful moments, for example the moment when the rohirrim collide with the orcs at Minas Tirith or that Boromir scene. Absolutely brilliant

[@ankoku37]

It doesn't get talked about as often, but one of my favorites absolutely has to the Last March of the Ents. It gets me so emotional every time, and then it returns when the Rohirrim arrive at Pelennor an AUGH.

[@dummipom4053]

It's crazy how much psychology is behind scores and how they can capture the emotion. I think that what makes a score memorable is not only its catchyness but also the way it is used in scenes.

[@danielplainview2584]

Did you know the theme for the nine Nazgul is a Dmadd9 chord for nine voices and nine successive notes? There’s a lot of clever stuff happening in the score. Also 4:30 is one of the best musical moments in the saga - also loved how you discussed the recontextualization of the Rohirrim theme. Great video as always, Charles!

[@evilsharkey8954]

I’m partial to a few minutes after that after Gandalf says “fly, you fools” and the tone completely changes. It’s a variation of the orc theme with a completely different feel and leads to those mournful vocals. It sets the mood perfectly for that scene.

[@dennisandfreyasd631]

@@evilsharkey8954 Yes, the music makes that scene so heartbreaking.

[@kurtdewittphoto]

My favorite piece of music from the trilogy is the March of the Ents when they head to Isengard. Gives me goosebumps every time.

[@gibbsfreenthalpy]

Totally agree, especially since it's then repeated during Theoden's speech before the charge of the rohirrim. It is amazing as it underlines the valor in the face of hopelessness as well as the fatalism both Treebeard and Theoden show

[@kyleclair41]

Oh man, yes, that part is so good!

[@Nethseaar]

The theme represents nature. With the march of the Ents, it's representing the trees and Ents. With the charge of the Rohirrim, it's representing the horses of Rohan. Beautiful theme, brilliantly used!

[@PhngluiMglwnafh]

That theme, plus the combination Mordor/Isengard themes made the Two Towers a legit masterpiece

[@misterfevillord1588]

​@@Nethseaarothers say it represents hope

[@JS-cb1fm]

So many great moments and choices in the soundtrack. My ultimate favorite is still Gandalf shedding light on the city of Dwarrowdelf in Moria. It isn’t a repeated theme but such a glorious minute or so.

[@JamieG.-sw8nu]

I wish we got to hear that theme again! It’s so beautifully done.

[@dennisandfreyasd631]

I love that theme also! So majestic!

[@christianoneil7655]

When we first hear the Rohan theme, they use a violin solo who plays in a very "exposed" way. The way they use vibrato makes you feel uncertain that the next note will be hit. Then the brass comes in and lays down a stable pitch that makes the violin sound a lot more confident. I like that in the scenes we see, the theme originally represents the hope of the people of Rohan, tenuous and exposed. When Theoden wakes up from his possession, the stable monarch of the country is represented by the stable sound of the brass. Finally, the two combine when the people of Rohan respond to his reawakening and are united in purpose. The music perfectly translates and accompanies the story in this section.

[@mandowarrior123]

Simplifying the violin there, the tone shift can be done on violin alone. It is an expressive match to a human (female) voice.

[@elliotjohnston6472]

I think that you definitely could (and 100% should) make a series about LOTR’s music.

[@andresantosmoreira1]

This OST is absolutely nuts!! Insane! There's a moment in the 3rd movie, when Pippin light up the lighthouses to alert Rohan, the orchestra just goes crazy and it's unbelievable! Great movie saga with a great OST!

[@Simpleburger1968]

Reading your comment immediately prompted me to re-listen to that particular section 😍. The way the strings and brass keep building up and up and up....then finally climax ( a "drop" ? ) into the glorious section that has the camera gliding along the mountain ranges as the beacons light up. Magnificent !!

[@edopronk1303]

Yes indeed!

[@JaneXemylixa]

It sounds like... "you can't stop this signal" is the only way I can put it. Unstoppable hope

[@evilsharkey8954]

That’s when the Gondor theme comes into its full glory

[@ferrishthefish]

Pippin is the best at lighting up, that's for sure

[@gregoryrousseau5155]

The Rohan theme when Theoden is freed from Wormtongue still brings a tear to my eye. That is deep. LotR is such an epic film and the score is just the cherry on the cake. Just beautiful. If you haven't yet watched the extended version of the films, i suggest you do. It's just extra.

[@KaitainCPS]

Can’t remember the last time I watched the shorter theatrical versions. Maybe fifteen years ago? Watch the extended versions every Christmas, split up over six nights.

[@afelias]

11:00 I like the callback to the strings as if it was the sadder version of the Rohan theme because 1) The horse hoof sounds tell you it's different this time around, and the contrast to strings is great 2) As some people put it, "This is the time where Theoden screams 'DEATH!' as his battle-cry and all his men charge with him on that." It is the time of Men that they will be tested, even if it might seem like certain doom. So I always interpret it that by Return of the King things are still really bad in Middle-Earth but what changed was that people were rallying together to meet the evil. So parallelisms between how Rohan is first depicted and the Charge of the Rohirrim at Pelennor Fields completes this kind of progression.

[@partofthegranddesign3573]

I realised when I watched this that the change in Rohan's theme to the half note down darker sound is way too familiar to the audience. It's what we've heard over and over in The One Ring's theme. That might also be one of the reasons that we instantly react and know that it signifies evil. It's absolutely amazing how the music is composed!

[@JaneXemylixa]

Also the same variation is used as they arrive back to Edoras after Isengard

[@anonymousaccordionist3326]

I think, during the charge of the Rohirrim, what also occurs to me is that the change from strings to brass gives me not only a feeling of triumphant hope on its own, but it also gives me the feeling of courage, in that it strikes me as exactly what these brave men need in that moment. It's the feeling of fear being overcome by hope and strength, as the horns of war push them on. I don't know if I am looking way too far into that, but it's a thought that crossed my mind.

[@kevinleugan6037]

People who don't have a musical background sometimes miss the importance of the soundtrack in a video/movie project. But it is so core to the feel of the movie, and, not to take anything away from the amazing directing, visual effects, casting, etc. that makes a good movie, one of the hardest things to get right. Just think, in normal life we don't have music just playing when stuff happens. And yet, in a good movie, the music fits the scene so well it feel natural. The music adds to our experience without distracting from the visuals that are the centerpiece.

[@jackpowell9276]

I don't know how Tolkein himself would view the films, but i've absolutely no doubt he'd adore the score. It is just sublime.

[@STERNWAERTS]

i was watching lotr + orchestra + choir live once and was crying my eyes out the whole time. couldn't help it at all. one of the most amazing experiences, and i'm not a huge lotr fan.

[@Nielsen.Brian.P]

I saw that in Nashville

[@Roccondil]

Someday I WILL find the chance to attend a such a performance...

[@TacetPotentia]

I've had this opportunity 4 times so far and I cried from the beginning to the very end. Every time.

[@ecyor0]

8:30 it's honestly such an effective choice - it's in no way subtle, but that just means you know EXACTLY what's happening, as Theoden, head clearing from Saruman's influence, finds his vigour, and as soon as he starts to come down off that rush... he immediately remembers Wormtongue and now with no fog to cloud his mind there is only rage.

[@aidanlegomaniac]

Was really hoping to see a discussion of Gondor's theme in here; it's easily my favorite in terms of how it evolves over the trilogy and especially how it changes when it's used for Boromir and Denethor versus when it's invoked for Aragorn. Still, awesome video, love seeing stuff about this soundtrack

[@ignaciorodriguez5008]

It's incredible how significant this series of movies is to my life that EVEN A MUSICAL ANALYSIS I'm unable to watch without crying. Amazing video Charles!!

[@mapleglades]

The dark turn of tune with Theoden's look has a lot of similarity to the beginning of "duel of the fates" and I love it so much.

[@duncathan_salt]

I heard that too! was thinking how similar that progression felt

[@red5_skywalker]

Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed!

[@WilliamFord972]

11:45 “Great thematic writing doesn’t need to come from complex harmony [etc.].” I second this. Some of the greatest cinematic themes are, well, great because they’re simple-often hummable or whistleable!

[@michaelthomas3209]

Completely agree. The building strings during the sweeping shots as they depart Rivendell is brilliant. One of my favourite parts of the trilogy.

[@HowManyTimes234]

The Ride of the Rohirrim as they all ride to death and battle is still the most powerfully emotional moment in the entire trilogy, and the music is a tremendous part of that

[@turkoala9193]

Could you at some point breakdown the choral sections of the LotR soundtrack? I found that the moments where the choir comes in are easily some of the most impactful moments musically. I also find it very interesting especially since the voice I feel is a very underrated and under-utilized instrument in film scoring and the LotR soundtrack even includes actual songs which is very unique for film scoring. The choral sections and songs are also interesting because words, speaking, singing, and anything to do with the voice is incredibly important in the magic system and world building of LotR. There also a ton of parts where the choir is singing in one of Tolkien's many invented languages and are using very interesting vocal tecniques.

[@edopronk1303]

I'd back that!

[@NardKoning]

Yes! I remember the march of the ents, but the one which hits home hard for me is when Elrond and Arwen discuss reforging Narsil, "Your hands are cold".

[@EionRobb]

I was in the male choir for singing the mines of moria section in the first movie. We were singing in dwarvish and they had to recruit linguists to come up with new dwarvish words because there weren't that many words in the books.

[@Dominik-K]

I read the title and I highly agree! It's what makes the movies so amazing, and plays a bigger role in their success than most would think

[@rpgadventurer32]

It wouldn't be the same without this incredible soundtrack.

[@dylanlewis5113]

Even as a little kid watching the movies when they came out on VHS, I knew the music was special. So many great pieces! The Shire theme has a huge amount of nostalgia for me, and I get goosebumps every time The Ring Goes South. The Fellowship theme might be the first time I was actually aware of a repeating theme in film.

[@Honethite]

The LOTR trilogy is the most epic thing I've ever experienced in cinema going history.

[@SkillGD]

One of the best Movie Soundtracks of all time! Howard Shore was at the absolute top of his game during the making of these movies, the music adds so much to them and makes them some of the best movies ever.

[@triplebog]

I hope you do more than just one video on this soundtrack. It deserves more. I could watch a whole series on this

[@bygon432]

Someone actually already analysed the whole score, search for Monoverantus.

[@nathanleak3016]

Not only is TLOTR the greatest trilogy of movies, but it also has quite possibly the best score in any Movie,Game or TV show. I love just about everything in The Lord of The Rings.

[@SteveLeCanard]

The Fellowship theme is so powerful. I still involuntarily well up when it comes in with the choral accompanyment right as Aragorn charges at the Black Gate (followed by the HOBBITS before anyone else, no less).

[@bygon432]

To anyone interested in the Lord of the Rings score, I can't recommend Monoverantus enough. He has analysed every single track, complete with themes, lyrics and translations. I would love to see you two do a collab!

[@simsch97]

My favorite part of the soundtrack is "The Lighting of the Beacons". It is so epic.

[@anonymcomment5864]

For french-speakers, there is a trilogy of long videos about LOTR soundtracks made by "Partoche". It's not the same, it's very complementary ! Sooo many themes and other techniques in this soudntrack that make it amazing. Love watching this video and I would want even more haha, thank you for making it

[@gi0nbecell]

Howard Shore is certainly one of the greatest movie composers of our time. There are other great ones, John Williams (whose other, non-movie works I also highly recommend), foe instance. But Shore‘s work, especially in LotR, is probably the prime example of thematic composition. An interesting point is that this method, using themes for certain items, persons or locations, was used first (at least to this extent) in Opera not so long ago. Richard Wagner, the grand master of music theater (he never really called his works „opera“, instead went as far as calling his last work „A stage consecration festival“ - „Ein Bühnenweihfestspiel“) utilised this method in the 19th century (for music historians, it‘s the Romantic period, or more precisely, the Late German Romanticism). He allowed the audience to identify the characters even in disguise, for instance in the 1st act of Siegfried: At one point, an old man comes to the home of Mime and Siegfried. He introduces himself as „The Wanderer“, and this is also the name in the dramatics personae - but for the audience, his appearance is accompanied by Wotan‘s theme. My favourite opera is Parsifal, and here he also very prominently changes and mixes the themes, especially the Grail theme comes into play at several points of epiphany for Parsifal. I‘ve seen Parsifal live about 6 times by now, and every time I‘m blown away - despite its run time of nearly 5 hours. Besides Wagner’s works I have seldom encountered any other piece of music that utilised the thematic composition technique as brilliantly as Shore in LotR.

[@jameshamaker9321]

Hearing how enthusiastic, he is about the sound track, of an iconic movie brings joy and light into my life.

[@adamabele785]

The music of the Lord of the Ring movies is so incredible. I still can hear it and it does not go old, it is still amazing every time you hear it again. And there is so much to detect each time you hear it again.

[@KoongYe]

I never get tired of hearing LOTR leitmotifs, as opposed to anything in Marvel (avengers in particular).

[@drakken11]

Yes! Agreed. The music in Marvel movies is so so, to me anyway), and just not memorable,(not to mention too loud).

[@WarpRulez]

Mr Shore really loves to use dissonance throughout the movie series in situations where there are conflicting emotions. Like for example when Pippin sings for Denethor while the soldiers are riding to their doom on his command. Pippin's melancholic singing is underlined by a dissonant and very ominous orchestral chord.

[@jacksonkerr2095]

Thank you for posting this video! I love to hear talk about using themes in writing for film. One of the things you may not know is that when you talk about Rohan at 5:45 and the flag coming off of the pole, that was NOT planned beforehand. As they were filming and the wind blew, it pulled the flag off of the pole, and Peter Jackson and the team thought it so well embodied what had happened that they kept it.

[@theirishviking9278]

kzbin.infoUgkx4xf8CRmG8S60d_uaR0-26FQYvf3GWoQ9 nope entirely planed for the flag to fall of the unplanned part was how far it flew

[@marrrtinn]

Having literal goosebumps only some seconds in. The score is one of the most important things that makes this movie so masterful.

[@neutralguy3221]

The White Tree is still one of my favorite pieces of music ever written. Anytime I'm explaining "build" in music theory to someone, I play that song and it brings me to tears every time.

[@andrewmazzarini2742]

Charles, as a companion piece to this I'd recommend checking out Johan de Meij's Lord of the Rings Symphony, it's a masterpiece

[@GabrielKerr]

I get tears of joy every time I hear these themes. It's so so tremendously beautiful.

[@TheUntypicalGerman]

11:07 that high pitched violin kinda like a cry always sends shivers down my spine .. And also when the elephant creatures appear and you hear their war chants, and when they clash with the riders of Rohan the music completely stops and you're just left with the chaos of battle.. That absence of music is also very powerful! All in all these movies are such a masterpiece!

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

I put on the LOTR soundtrack while driving up through the hills towards Yosemite a few years ago. Came out of the tunnel and around the bend right at sunset when the whole view of the valley with the waterfall and Halfdome in the distance came into full, staggering view right as the full Fellowship theme crescendoed in! Absolutely stunning and unforgettable moment in my life.

[@HerpMcDerp89]

The scene of the Rohirrim charging across the fields of Pelanoir is, in my opinion, the absolute best scene in the trilogy, and the Rohan theme is a huge reason why. Even as great as the acting performances are in that scene, it still would not have near the emotional impact without that theme to carry the weight of that emotion.

[@xthebumpx]

I go back and forth between that and the charge at Helm's Deep. At Helm's Deep the music completely pauses for a moment before bursting out, and it might be my favorite musical moment in any movie.

[@NardKoning]

Pleeease do more of these! You have not yet covered some of the more tender scores, or the choral ones. When Elrond and Arwen discuss reforging Narsil and she drops the book in despair, and Elrond is immediately overcome with fatherly concern. The music there simply forces tears from me. Also themes like the Uruk hai theme are cool to analyze!

[@icedragonair]

I couldn't tell you the number of times I've seen that fellowship introductory scene in my lifetime, and yet it still gave me goosebumps.

[@cardyfreak]

I’ve always loved the use of themes in these movies, like how the Gondor theme is foreshadowed when Boromir reaches Rivendell, and as he speaks to Aragorn in Lothlorien, I don’t think we get it agin until Return Of The King, but it’s magnificent how it implants these ideas and touchstones that conjure emotions when we hear the themes in different contexts. These movies are just a triumph from top to bottom, I’ll never tire of them.

[@reidveryan9414]

Love how Howard used a minor v chord (Em) to lead into the an Major I chord (A major) in the fellowship theme. Masterful. Em-Cm at the end of rohan theme. Also same chord progression for imperial march.

[@tonypapas9854]

Charles - what a gift you have - both your musical ear and your playing ability. Thanks for sharing with us! And thanks for doing anything related to the LOTR trilogy - definitely a MASTERCLASS.

[@angelenapulis9083]

The Rohan theme is my absolute favorite. Like, the Fellowship theme is epic, but nothing grabs my soul quite like the music of Rohan. There’s grief, there’s pain, there’s anger, there’s uncertainty, there’s both the fear and embrace of death… It has everything. It feels so human. It’s about survival.

[@mistertwister2000]

The theme of the Rohan gives me chills every time, it heightens that final charge of Theoden so much

[@hoobyflooby8247]

There’s no soundtrack out there that brings out even close to the amount of emotions I feel when listening to the LotR soundtrack. Please do more videos on this masterpiece of a score 🙏

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

The Fellowship theme will always bring a tear of nostalgia and wonder to my eyes. As you said, the score is a MASTERCLASS

[@ameliakatherine1817]

The unscripted flag flying away at Edoras created the perfect accidental metaphor: a kingdom losing a sense of itself, only for the flag to fall at the feet of and be caught by the man who will restore it. A wonderful unintended symbol. I'm not religious, but God loves artists.

[@andrewblake3210]

If I were to jump off my couch and shout “hell yeah!” at the TV, it would be to LOTR. Not even watching sports gets me so excited. And the LOTR music is a huge part of that. Thanks for this analysis! ❤

[@TheAwfulWaffle95]

this soundtrack just fills me with warmth. It’s so emotional it really adds so much to the story and it wouldn’t be half as good as it is without it. Amazing

[@jamesgraham1772]

10:52 also unnoticed they dropped in a really steady almost “four-on-the-floor” style of percussion keeping very steady time, really drives the momentum of the scene forward and fits with it being an almost suicide charge by the Rohirrim!

[@JennaHuntMusic]

I love how Shore used harmonic progressions built on major thirds. There’s so much emotion tied to that root movement.

[@Dolfidus26]

This is without doubt the most beautiful written film score ever. I doubt someone will top this.