Middle-earth Journeys

I don't think Tolkien was as much a Luddite as he was chary of the seductive power of industrial might that could easily run wild if not checked by some common sense and regard for nature. This is what Saruman ultimately represents--a mind "full of wheels," totally divorced from the natural world surrounding him and wedded to the concept of a mechanized society even when, as Farmer Cotton says, " It don't even make bad sense anymore."
Saruman's mighty machines served only themselves- - - -and him. In the end, they destroyed both, and I think this is what Tolkien feared.

That's a very interesting question, Merry. I've been trying to think of other aspects of modernisation that he had problems with and I think one of the most important ones is the way society was (and still is) becoming more and more homogenised through media influence, political tinkering and increased ability to travel. All the old traditions, local ways and habits, were being steadily wiped away. Even local dialects, which would have griped him even more. Everyone is increasingly talking the same, being influenced by the same things, losing their roots and - most of all - losing the sense of their own history which really gives us perspective and a sense of who we are. This was evident to Tolkien in his day in Britain and it's even more so now. If he were alive today I think he would be weeping.

About allegory - I seem to remember Tolkien saying that his problem was with others trying to pin his writings down as allegories of specific events - the Great War, Hitler, the atomic bomb etc., where in reality the allegories were universal, applicable throughout history to the human condition. I'll try and find the quote when I get home!

I found this on Jef Murray's website:

http://www.alongexpectedparty.org/

For those of us Yanks who are suffering from jealousy, this might be a possibility!

It looks like a lot of fun . What a great looking website!

It's great, isn't it? I hope someone on MEJ will be able to go!!

My wonderful husband set up a surprise "date" for us last night. He made all of the arrangements in advance, including child care. I was only given an idea about appropriate dress for the outing and when we needed to leave. You can imagine how completely floored and delighted I was when it turned out he had acquired prime viewing seats for the showing of FOTR at Wolf Trap, with the score performed live by the Wolf Trap Symphony conducted by Ludwig Wicki, The City Choir of Washington, The World Children's Choir, and soloists Kaitlyn Lusk and a wonderful boy soprano (probably from The World Children's Choir) who was unfortunately not identified in the program.

It was an absolutely incredible experience. The film was projected with subtitles so the conductor did not have to worry about whether the orchestra was overwhelming the dialogue. The point of the evening was to experience the film primarily through the music. WOW! The live music was so much more intense and vibrant than the typically overamped sound we hear in the movie theatre. It was possible to appreciate even more the extraordinary musical subtleties and the incredible timing and symphonic development of the piece.

I have sent scans of the Program Notes to Riv Res so she can upload them for your review. Included are descriptions of all of the various themes Howard Shore developed and associated with various places, people, races, items, etc. The Ring in particular has three musical themes all to itself!

From the audience reaction, you would almost believe these folks had never seen FOTR before, although the vast majority obviously were huge fans. It was quite clear that they were experiencing the film in an entirely new way, and there were many gasps of surprise and shock as they reacted to the immediacy of the music combined with the intensity of the visuals on screen. Mr. L liked the films well enough, but was not a die-hard enthusiast like me. Nonetheless, he thoroughly enjoyed the evening and commented on a number of things that he hadn’t noticed from previous viewings, both musically and dramatically. Both of us really wished that the performance had not been on a school night, because 11-year-old Miss L would have absolutely adored it.

This was the U.S. premiere for this kind of film/concert experience, and I heartily encourage all of you to keep your eyes and ears peeled for announcements about performances in your area. You will not be disappointed! Mr. L and I are already hoping that they will repeat this exercise with The Two Towers and Return of the King. We will certainly be there!

Sounds wonderful, Lindariel! Maybe Chicago or St. Louis will do this some time soon.

Lindariel wrote:I have sent scans of the Program Notes to Riv Res so she can upload them for your review.  Included are descriptions of all of the various themes Howard Shore developed and associated with various places, people, races, items, etc.  The Ring in particular has three musical themes all to itself!

Lindariel, I can't wait to read these - what a fantastic experience. Iolanthe & I were fortunate enough to hear Howard Shore conduct his music for LOTR at the Royal Festival Hall - to hear it live was wonderful, but to hear it live in conjunction with the films - well, it must have been stunning. I'm The music is such an integral part of the films - one of my favourite scenes (the lighting of the beacons between Minas Tirith and Edoras) would make no sense at all without it!

I really am envious. If this ever comes to the UK I will be first in line for tickets. Well..... maybe just behind marbretherese . I would love to see these films on the Big Screen again and with live music... well... what could be better (apart from Aragorn acting in person ).

Wonderful surprise! Lucky lady you are for sure. While hunting for Tolkien news I found this review of the Wolf Trap event.

'Ring' Score Gets An Epic Airing At Wolf Trap

There's probably never been as ambitious a film score as Howard Shore's 10-hour epic for the "Lord of the Rings" series. While it's not quite a Wagnerian-scale "Ring," the music is rich and complex, drawing on a vast range of styles and exotic instruments to evoke J.R.R. Tolkien's world of elves, hobbits and warlocks. But it's more than just background music: Shore uses an elaborate leitmotif technique (where musical themes are associated with specific characters or ideas, and are developed across the entire series) to hold the sprawling tale together. Lush, beautiful and full of intriguing surprises, it's no wonder that it's become one of the most popular film scores ever written.

So it was worth it to brave the teeth-chattering temperatures on Wednesday night and head out to Wolf Trap to see "The Fellowship of the Ring" (the first film in the series) projected on huge overhead screens while the Filene Center Orchestra, the City Choir of Washington and the World Children's Choir performed the score live.

Technically, it came off brilliantly; unlike the muddy presentation of "The Wizard of Oz" two years ago, "Fellowship" was clear and detailed, with well-balanced sound and an orchestra that sounded extremely natural despite being amplified.

And for this listener, anyway, it was like seeing the film for the first time. "Lord of the Rings" is a full-blown epic by anyone's standards, and needs to be experienced on as gigantic a scale as possible; one orchestra seems barely enough. And putting the music front and center gives the film a driving bolt of narrative power (which, frankly, it badly needs) and provides depth to the special effects that crash relentlessly across the screen. Conductor Ludwig Wicki did a superb job of coordinating his enormous forces, and the choruses -- who had to sing in Tolkien-ish languages like Quenya and Sindarin -- performed with precision and style.

-- Stephen Brookes

© 1996-2008 The Washington Post Company

Program: FOTR Symphony At Wolf Trap

Our thanks to Lindariel for sharing the program from this wonderful event, and to her (and all of you) for your great patience while it took me FOREVER to get this posted.

Click on scans to enlarge.

© 2005, 2008 by Doug Adams

thanks Riv and thanks Lindariel!! I've been listening again to this fantastic score and reminding myself just what a great achievement it is!

Thanks! It's great to have that. I can't wait to hear how Shore deals with all the Shire themes in The Hobbit - will they be variations or will he write completely new ones? And will the familiar Ring theme play subtly when Bilbo 'meets' it in the dark? And we should have some fantastic 'blocky' dwarf themes to look forward to - the Moria themes are amongst my favourites.

Iolanthe wrote:I can't wait to hear how Shore deals with all the Shire themes in The Hobbit - will they be variations or will he write completely new ones? And will the familiar Ring theme play subtly when Bilbo 'meets' it in the dark? And we should have some fantastic 'blocky' dwarf themes to look forward to - the Moria themes are amongst my favourites.

He may create a new theme based on Bilbo's Song, which is featured on the ROTK Complete Recordings (and I believe in the end credits of the ROTK EE). It's different from the familiar themes of LOTR, including those of the Shire, and would tie it all nicely together.

I do hope so - that is one of my most favourite pieces of the complete score and a real treat as it doesn't feature anywhere in the films themselves. I'd be very happy with that!