I hope there will eventually be complete recordings for The Hobbit Trilogy.

I still can't make sense of the wraith music at the end, as hard as I may be trying.

Talking of the scene with Thorin charging? It may be wraith associated music, but it fits the scene....at least it does to me.

Maybe Thorin has one of the rings of power, which Sauron gave to the dwarfs.

In the appendix of the Lord of the RIngs it is said that Thror, who is Thorins grandfather, gave his only remaining treasure - the last of the seven rings - his son Thrain the father of Thorin.

Interesting in this regard are on the one hand Thrors words, for he says that the ring may one day be the foundation of new wealth. On the other hand it is indicated that the ring may had a malign influence on Thror, which drove him to folly and death in Moria.

Another hint for this thesis could be Thorins own folly in dealing with the elves and men shortly before the Battle of the Five Armies.

During the Azog scene?

Azog was sent to Moria by Sauron, perhaps that's the connection.

I was also thinking that maybe Azog did die of his wounds, but was resurrected by the Necromancer/Sauron?

Maybe you're right. The idea of resurrection is the only thing that makes sense to me here. The Nazgul were wraiths of Men who lived at least 3000+ years before LOTR, so their appearance in LOTR signals a re-emergence of entities long thought extinct. They also re-appeared because of the One Ring coming back into focus in the world, whereas both Ring and Nazgul had been dormant for centuries.

Similarly, Azog and Thorin first fought each other decades before the events of "The Hobbit". But then they both went into hiding, and Thorin told himself that Azog was dead. However, Thorin's quest draws Azog out of the shadows, just like the Ring brought the Nazgul back into the fray. Perhaps that is why the theme was used here. Their face-off represents the resurrection of an old enmity.

I'm asking myself the same question over and over again. When thorin attacks azog we hear a combination of "the power of mordor"-theme and the "ringwraith"-theme (this part can't be found on the soundtrack). It doesn't make any sense to me. Doug, do you have any idea?

Indeed, considering that Shore wrote beautiful and powerful Dwarven choral music for that particular scene, which would have more than done the job. But I am glad we have it all on the album.

-Mikko-

Isn't the ringwraith/Mordor music in question the motif from "Fellowship" called 'Footsteps of Doom'? For me, that phrase encapsulates a whole variety of situations, not merely those involving the Nazgul. I think it can also be heard in "My Dear Frodo", at 4:35, to represent Smaug's assault on Erebor.

It's not just the footsteps of doom. The entire chant crosses over and we don't hear in the prologue; "My Dear Frodo". I'm sure there's a proper reason though, just a bit impatient at finding the answer.

What puzzles me more is that the choral chanting that seemed to be the original music for the scene in Out of the Frying Pan does a fine job of creating the same kind of tense, dramatic atmosphere. Along with that, I would have loved to have heard that great fanfare in context, but it all got cut! :(

I hadn't heard it referred to that way before. Very interesting. And yes, that does open the theme up to a broader usage. If that's the case, it makes much better sense.

Well, if it hadn't been for Bilbo then it would certainly have been Thorin's "Footsteps of Doom!" :D

Hey Doug! I just started a little "Unexpected Journey" score-analysis/discussion on "TheOneRing.net" to pay tribute to your and Mr. Shores fantastic work. It would be cool to see what think about it. Here's the link: http://newboards.theonering...

Um, I'm sorry, but I actually compiled and posted this list on August 4 on the Filmtracks Message Boards..... http://www.filmtracks.com/s...

Sorry Corey but I already told your friend Faleel that it is not the same list. Different order, different names and I have a few (like Thranduils theme) which you don't have. These lists are very similar indeed but only because we used the same source: Shores music. Respect for your work. I know what it takes to do such a list. But there are 7 billion people on this planet and only because you did such a list on a different website (I've never known of before) it's not your right to call all the other lists on the internet which were posted later copies of yours. That's unfair. I hope you understand my point.

No, I'm sorry, but that IS the same order, starting in the same place (Thorin) and ending in the same (witch king motif) with the same comments (pointing out bass line only, for example, or just the Took portion). All of your names for themes are what I called them and I had to make them up because they don't have official names yet. Yet reuse the made up term "out the door" motif yet you leave other ambiguous themes without a name ("secondary theme"), the exact same as me. You're telling me that an exact order with the same names and times is not copying? I realize that this is all just organizing Shore's composition, but at least give credit where it's due. This list was posted almost verbatim two days before yours.

Gary, I just posted on TORn an arrangement of your great work: a chronological listing of the soundtrack themes you list. What you accomplished is way beyond my amateur mini-mind...
I am sure Doug is smiling benevolently down at our efforts. We will just have to be patient and await (for a couple of years) the authentic, authorized enumeration!! I am sure he is barely able to still his urge to comment until then, but remains imprisoned in NDA mode.

I have seen the movie last night! So with no spoilers I have to say that I loved it! I really liked the use of music and the new themes. I also like that virtually all the music from the film is in the soundtrack! And a final thought, I get why Mr Shore did not use the Misty Mountains theme on this one. The tone of the story and scenes was not right for that...in my opinion of course.

the movie is great, but it would have been much better without the added action sequences at the end...nonetheless the score and a lot of scenes were impressing!

On my first viewing, I also found the action scenes within Erebor a bit annoying. But, thinking about it now, it wouldn't have made sense to spend so much time building up to Thorin taking revenge on Smaug, and then have the Dwarves not confront Smaug at all, as happened in the book.

maybe, but not this way...i hope i like it more next time.

Hello. Newbie post. Has anyone posted the track times that coincide with the scores in the book? I would like to listen to the score as it is represented in the book. Thanks

How do you mean? Which book? Tolkien's novel or Doug's book? Because the tracks discussed in Doug's book are the tracks that make up the Complete Recordings sets.

The Professor! :)

The Professor !

Am I the only one to think Beyond The Forest is the most beautiful track?

Hey Doug! I just finished listening to the soundtrack for The Desolation of Smaug and I noticed that the "misty mountains" theme is not even played once. Just wondering, why was it dropped? It seemed as if this theme was going to be used in a similar way to the fellowship theme from LOTR.
Also, the theme from the beginning of "The Edge of the Wild" isn't featured in this new score, sadly. Was kind of looking forward to a continuation of that. Has it been retired too?

I'm looking forward to getting some information about the various themes, but I'm guessing that will have to wait until Friday at least, Doug?

Well, I'll bit a bit freer at that point, yes. But this is the first step in a long journey, so while I'll be a bit more forthcoming, we have a long way to go yet!

But what a ride ...

Just finished reading your liner notes in the Special Edition. Awesome stuff! Can't wait to read your next book on these films. I guess the only question left after reading the notes is what those bonus songs at the end have to do with these films. In particular, the beautiful "Erebor", which seems to be the stately fulfillment of a theme heard throughout the soundtrack. Since you don't mention it in your notes, I wonder what role that track plays...

Been there, seen that... And yes, WHAT a ride!! I saw the film last night, will see it again for the official US opening and will see it yet again on Sat morning as part of Mythgard Institute's conference in Baltimore on TH-AUJ with Prof Corey Olsen... I will refrain from posting my reactions pro or con (on film, score and technology) until more here are "enlightened"... But, Oh my, oh my!!!!

Post your reactions, questions, and collected thoughts here. Here we go, folks ...

If I could, I would. I'm a bit tongue tied, to be honest. :D This is magnificence. Pure magnificence. *puts headphones back on*

Whoa! Are the LOTR-CR going back in print, and in Blu-ray Audio? Say it isn't so! Link: https://www.amazon.com/Lord...

Yes, and on VINYL as well! Unfortunately it's very expensive in Germany. But this is the best score ever!

Loved the audio interviews! You are a star!!! :)

I agree! It's great to hear about Howard and his process, and get a general insight into the world of composing film music!

Always good to hear Doug speak...especially about our beloved Howard Shore <3

Hi Doug, I am quite new to this blog so maybe this question has been already answered ... Anyway, I was wondering when was the original teaser music for An Unexpected Journey recorded? It couldn't have been during the recording sessions, because they took place much, much later. And also who recorded it and where? Many thanks.

I believe the orchestral Misty Mountains was recorded in London in November/December 2011, not long after the Hugo sessions. The rest was electronic, though it was produced around the same time.

Thanks, much appreciated! :)

Hi Doug, I really enjoyed reading your book on these wonderful scores. I've noticed that there are a few arrangements throughout the LOTR trilogy that haven't been released in any format (i.e. the musical statement that accompanies the "Fellowship of the Ring" title card in the theatrical version of the film, which is different from the arrangement Shore did for the extended cut heard in the CR). Are there any plans to eventually release these cues? Also, are there any plans to release the complete recordings of the Hobbit films when they are all completed? I would love to hear the mock-ups and the longer eagles arrangement in AUJ. Finally, was it Shore's decision to replace the Thorin vs. Azog cue heard on the AUJ CD with the Revelation of the Ringwraiths theme from LOTR? If so, was there a thematic reason for doing so?

Many thanks, gg!!

Wasn't the theatrical edition of Fellowship's title represented on the 2001 original soundtrack album? It's a different version of the Prologue, but I believe that particular passage matched the film. (Trying to remember off the top of my head ... there may have been a trumpet vs. clarinet orchestration issue, but maybe I'm thinking of an unreleased alt.)

I'm not answering any additional Hobbit questions at this time, sorry!

Just listened to it again, it's the trumpet version on the OST as opposed to the clarinet version heard in the film. I believe the same is true on the rarities disc as well. It's a minor thing though considering the sheer amount of music that has been released.

Too bad about the Hobbit questions, but I certainly understand that. I guess it's still a work in progress- can't wait to hear it in its entirety!

Just out of curiosity, Doug, do you know if the Synclavier was used to create mockups for the hobbit, or, if mockups were created, were more modern sample libraries used?

Hmm, good question. I did hear the mock-ups ... and I seem to remember being told that they were done in-house this time, and that the Synclavier was not used. Couldn't swear to it, but I think that's what transpired.

Thanks. Ive just finished a full read of the book and complete score listening, and am currently enjoying the mockups and alternates on the rarities disc in front of a roaring fire with some nice hot tea! It has as ever been a breathtaking intellectual and emotional journey, and Id like to extend my gratitude once again for your tremendous work of analysis of this extraordinary work of art and wonderful presentation of it in this book.

That's absolutely wonderful, thank you so much!!