The Lord of the Rings - How Howard Shore Builds Tension
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มี.ค. 2020
- Through his scores for 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, Howard Shore has shown that he is a master at manipulating tension. He perfectly crafts the music to fit vast cinematic sequences, building and releasing tension with ease, but also develops the tension inherent in his thematic material over long stretches of time. This is demonstrated best by looking at the music for the two kingdoms of Men - Rohan and Gondor. Shore makes subtle changes to their themes, altering the orchestration, harmony and melodic lines such that tension is gradually built and sustained. In this essay, I look at how he builds tension in Rohan and Gondor’s music and then how, during the battle for Minas Tirith, this tension is finally released.
VIDEOS IN THIS SERIES
The Lord of the Rings - How Howard Shore Uses Voices: • The Lord of the Rings ...
The Lord of the Rings - How Howard Shore Makes Us Care: • The Lord of the Rings ...
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FURTHER READING/RESEARCH
The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films: A Comprehensive Account of Howard Shore's Scores (Book & Rarities CD): www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Lord-R...
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.
#LordoftheRings #HowardShore - เพลง
Hi everyone - I really hope you enjoyed the video. If you did, do check out my other film score analyses (currently 20 of them, including ones on Interstellar and Star Wars): th-cam.com/play/PLIlrdv4_CLJrpRfyyFNBKAGTU7BwpWhj_.html
I wish I could like a video more than once 😅
Your videos on lord of the rings are the most beautiful and thoughtful essays I've ever witnessed, thank you so much for making these
I love your videos and analysis! Could you tell me where you find the annotated music that you include in your videos? I’ve tried to find original scores but all I can find are other peoples arrangements.
I definitely really enjoyed this. Aside from one thing. I love these films, and the music is one of my favorite parts. Sitting and listening to the music I can often visualize exactly what is happening in the films. I can hear Theoden's speech on the Pelennor with the music. Having scenes that don't match the music was quite, I don't know the word, disorienting? I don't know. I assume that is a copyright thing. Not that anything here would come close to abusing copyright, but in order to avoid the automated systems catching it. I don't know how any of that works. Still, I love the analysis of things like this and you delivered on that front so well done.
John Williams has the greatest full body of work of any movie composer ever, but these three movies are the greatest single accomplishment by a composer.
THIS exactly!! John Williams is undeniably the GOAT, but Howard Shore's Lord of the Rings is hands down the greatest film music achievement of all time.
@@ElliottSulz EASILY. 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two words: Jerry Goldsmith.
YES
I'm inclined to agree. I don't know of another movie that has music that plays such a part in the story's connection to the viewer. Certainly there are stirring themes in John's musical catalog, but I don't think they quite get as high as Howard does here.
I can’t think of a masterpiece like the LOTR soundtrack. My god it touches your soul like no other
So true. The best music for the best movie, for the best story.
Maybe inception is really close!!
Yeah definately! for me what comes really close is one the Soundtrack for Star Wars by John Williams and two the Soundtrack from How To Train Your Dragon by John Powell!
Hapostalow Official of course Star Wars is legendary as well but the LOTR music hits different lol
There are others. Mostly they just don't span three films as eloquently. Shawshank comes to mind.
The “Rohan will answer” scene give me chills every time, the music lead and manipulate emotions perfectly. Howard Shore is such an incredible composer.
The way the music stops, as if it's waiting for Théoden's decision along with the audience. It's so effective.
I still remember the shout of ecstasy in the movie theater!
the beacons scene is a masterpiece of music and film and is absolutely amazing!
“And Rohan will answer… the answer is no”
@@annabailey3549 Give a thought to the poor blighters stationed on those mountaintops, waiting for the signal to light their fires.
Worst job in the whole army of Gondor, that. Day after day, night after night, year after year.
"We also serve, who only sit and wait."
What Howard Shore did with this trilogy is unlike anything ever done. You can listen to the full soundtrack, close your eyes and visualize every scene from the prologue in FOTR to the Grey Havens in ROTK.
Agreed
Done just that more than 20 times lol. The music tells the story so vividly!
Amen to that. If I think of Isengard, I immediately hear rhythmic chains and hammers. Or Gollum, his sad, lonely, and wistful theme trailing off into the mist... It's really amazing how he made each 'culture' of the story feel real by giving them their own distinctive sound.
The different music cues are each a character in the film as much as the places... which is why we feel the heart of Rohan, feel the haunting beauty of Lorien, the majesty of Rivendell, the might of Gondor, return home to the Shire, and weep at the Grey Havens. That's why we feel the presence of The Ring, the terror of the orcs, and the heroics of the Fellowship. 😭😭😭
What Howard Shore did with LOTR is what John Williams did for Star Wars! And you know what? I LOVE IT!!! I get so many goosebumps from the music to this series! The Hobbits, The Fellowship Theme,Isengard, Gondor, Moria, The Elven kingdoms of Rivendell and Lothlorien, Rohan, They all have incredible themes! The music with the Ringwraiths and Shelob still scare the heck out of me, but I love it!
Had Howard Shore lived in the 19th century and had written this as a symphonic poem it would now be considered as one of the great masterpieces of classical music. I am absolutely certain.
It doesn’t need to have been written in the 19th Century to be considered a masterpiece of classical music. But Howard Shore could not have created this a priori. Of course it represents a feat of skill that few could match. However, it is important to note that Tolkien gave Shore a lot to work with: and freer rein than usual. Tolkien wrote of the creation of the world by music. In the Charge of the Rohirrim, Howard Shore transposes Middle Earth’s geography into auditory form. The Nature’s Reclamation theme, first heard when the Ents destroy the dam holding back the river Isen, turns into the Rohan theme. The Rohirrim then are being likened to the waters of the Isen, crashing onto the Pelennor fields. It’s not just any fictional world that can be transposed into music that way.
@@sophiejones7727 the point he is trying to make, is that composers like Howard Shore and Hans Zimmer will never receive the same recognision as Beethoven or Bach, while they are just as brilliant. Doesn’t matter where their inspiration comes from.
@@merenwen4495 Exactly. Non-film compositions can draw inspiration from the real world, which is even more detailed than Tolkien (slightly.) I don't see how having Tolkien's worldbuilding to work with diminishes Shore's feat at all.
@@merenwen4495 Eh. Hans Zimmer? When has he produced such an impactful piece of music as Howard Shore's work on LOTR? Sure, he has made some great music pieces like the Pirates of the Caribbean theme, or the music of Interstellar, but I have yet to hear any music from him that feels as truly emotionally compelling and impactful.
@@revanofkorriban1505 Liong King, Gladiator? I think those scores are pretty emotional.
Besides, the time Howard Shore had to produce the score for lotr, is also pretty unusual in the film industry, so that also has contributed to it’s epicness.
Rohan is a horse breeding country, and it's music marks it. The rohan theme has the sound of hooves at the beginning. Toc toc toc, toc toc toc.
After watching this I need to watch the whole trilogy again.
seen it in 4k yet? Like watching it for the first time again
Sigh…there goes the next 14 hours
All righty then (in my best Ace Ventura voice)! You twisted my arm.
5:50 "Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?"
I have seen the white city, long ago.
The cultural importance of _The Lord of the Rings_ is, perhaps surprisingly, *increasing* over time. There are a few handfuls of movies over the last 100+ for which appreciation has increased since their release, but _this..._ the place in our hearts & minds of this trilogy... this is something altogether different. It's almost... _reverence._
The books weren't fully appreciated in their time either
I concur! "Reverence" is an appropriate word to describe how history has, and will, view thus Trilogy.
Such a perfect word. It is reverence
It's up there with any highest form of art and cannot be recreated. It's so beautiful and sincere that it shouldn't ideally exist. And we pay our reverence to that, I believe. For existing
It is reverance.
@@jayantjha4970 Rather, I'd say, little else aught exist instead. It's among the few things we can see that seems somehow... Just. Like, the product of a universe of consequence, not our own messy mill of death and solipsism. There's more like that than we realise, but less than we might hope, and each is a treasure too easily lost or sullied by the irreverence of fame and fortune.
Yet, I always feel sad when I see art that taps into the upper limits of human creativity and thought, because it too is still bound in ugly matter and a one-way track of time. I think that's maybe what you mean when you say it shouldn't exist; it shouldn't be embodied, because it contains a spark of something too bright to see. All artists know the feeling of despair when pure Taiji is squeezed into sight and sound and spoken word and the untouchable abstract light is dulled as though behind dirty glass. Sometimes, though, in the very finest art you can see a glimmer of it in there, and there's nothing you can do but cry. I'd take that in its melancholy over the emptiness of art so uncared for that all possibility is gone and there's no light at all, just familiar rotting apathy.
In other words, this is arguably the greatest ever soundtrack for a movie. The story, the tension, the connection between the different themes, its all beautifully crafted. Howard Shore is a genius.
The Rohan theme is one of my favorites in any media. It makes me feel for a place that doesn't really exist but can't help but imagine that amazing looking city in the open fields and the charge into the orc army.
As something that's sustained over multiple movies in a continuous story at such high quality and diversity, it's probably only equaled by John Williams' score for the Star Wars movies.
No other soundtrack has the power to make me cry like a child after only a couple measures of any random track, half pulled out of context.
The Lighting of the Beacons is by far my favorite piece from the LOTR score, and combined with the gorgeous shots of the mountains??? *sheds tear*
I had the honour to watch it in the cinema once, it made me cry
You wanna see me turn into a goofy giddy mess, show me the beacons.
That it's Pippin that lights it just puts it over the top.
I didn't expect a music analysis would make me cry.
Well played.
You too?
@@briannanicholson1 come on now, it's everyone's reaction because the music is just that good ❤️
Weirdo
The "lighting of the beacons" sequence has always hit me hard...from the first viewing at the theater all those years ago, through my many subsequent viewings on video and TV, it always brings tears to my 75 year old eyes.
"And the tension is finally... released."
*Haradrim in the distance*: Hold my beer
*kefir
He also used the regular instead of the extended cut; to us LOTR junkies, the extended is the ONLY version that matters lol.
The cut from Gondor to the arrival of the Rohirrim is different as Gandalf is actually facing the Witch King and has his staff broken. It has the same musical transition though.
@@nahor88 I honestly kind of prefer the theatrical cut for that scene. I usually watch the extended version, since I love all the extra lotr I can get (such as the inclusion of the boromir/faramir flashback which really brings that part of two towers to life), but in this specific case for the sheer emotional journey I slightly prefer the theatrical
@@Fribnibby I agree. For one, uh, No. Gandalf the White (in the book) was 100% ready to lay the smack down on the witch king. He was literally just chilling on his horse, alone as the witch-king came through the city gates. No fear, no uncertainty, just waiting for him. For two, having the tension be on the city itself is more thematically appropriate. Rohan didn't come to save Gandalf from the Witch-King, they came to save Gondor.
There are other times where the extended material messes with the dramatic tension. Like the reminder in Moria that Bilbo gave Frodo his mithril shirt. It cuts the tension of the battle in Balin's tomb. It's better if you know the story, but it messes with the tension in the story for first time viewers.
@@billwithers7457 Gandalf loosing to Witch-king makes it even more hopeless and he did say that no man can kill Witch-king. I dont know if that stands for Gandalf as well.
I never really realized why, but I get all choked up listening to the music when the riders of Rohan come to Gondor’s aid by charging at the armies of Mordor. This makes a lot of sense now! The music’s build up over all this time really adds emotion to this scene!
Yeah, i always loved the music, ad now i know why!
For Shore!
You can basically close your eyes and listen to just the music of Lotr and still grasp it's beauty and story.
It's so true. If you listen to the music that plays when Sam is drowning, it actually sounds like being underwater.
I can replay the whole trilogy in my head when listening to the soundtrack
Rohan’s theme is my absolute favorite (has something to do with horns) in the trilogy. It feels incredibly old soul, austere, and proud like Rohirims who live on a land of less and rely on horses to survive.
these movies are literally perfect in EVERY way
Facts
Heisenberg: "You're goddamned right"
Literally is used way too often these days
That scene where Gondor calls for aid and Rohan answers was made by the music.
A lesser director would have cut the lengthy landscape transition and lost the impact of the scene.
Peter Jackson was so proud of his country that no way in shit he was gonna miss the chance to show us her beauty😭
I absolutely love how when Rohan starts their attack the percussion has a shift as well to match the gallop of the horses.
The Hardanger at 9:22 always makes me think of where Rohan came from and where they are now and the music is saying they don’t forget, and they ride with them the feelings of hopelessness and death and they truly don’t give a fuck and will ride to death if it means fighting rather than being a slave like Eowyn says. Always makes me tear up
There are a lot of great soundtracks out there. I mean, John Williams and Hans Zimmer seemingly knock it out of the park every time they compose one. But with LotR Howard Shore knocks it out of the park and into the final hole of a neighboring golf course.
The scale of Shore's work is matched only by John Williams with the Star Wars saga. But Star Wars isn't as cohesive, doesn't build on itself as much.
I also think you that really hit it on the head. LOTR is Shore's greatest work, and nothing else he's done comes close. So in that way he's kind of a one hit wonder. It's almost as if God send Howard Shore to this realm to grant us this music. John Williams knocks out of the Jurassic Park, every, single, time.
My take as a fly on the wall, lol
I just cried ugly tears because nothing has ever made so much sense to me. Thank you
The gods of the algorithm have given us a good one today
Every single time the hardanger plays, i instantly have tears in my eyes.Truly a sublime instrument
The music in LOTR is UNMATCHED. Every single song brings you back to a mood, a place, a feeling. Its incredible.
I've loved LOTR for years and yet every single time I see something like this, it makes me realise those movies were even better than I thought.
How does this still have this few of views? This is a flawless way of breaking down what makes this masterpiece a masterpiece. Well done. It's given me a new appreciate of one of my already favorite stories.
Thank you so much!
So sad what they did with the Hobbit. :(
@@AEspiral at least the hobbit movies were decent. not like what happened to eragon! thank god we escaped that
@@felynia I found the hobbit movies total crap. But to be honest I never went beyond the beginning of the second movie without sleeping. Boring CGI and a bullshit Dwarven/elf relationship don't let me have any interest in that bullshit.
@@AEspiral I recommend watching one of the fan edits, such as the Cardinal Cut. It whittles away the excess, leaving Tolkien's story intact.
The Rohan theme played by the hardanger has always been my favourite of the entire soundtrack, for it is beautiful and played with such emotion. And yet this emotion is dominated by sorrow, and the melody is bittersweet. Now 20 years later I understand why. Thank you for this amazing breakdown.
I've started feeling really emotional when Gondor's theme played during the lighting of the Beacons. You managed to make me realize how this music truly means something and tells a story. I've always adored the books, movies and the music, but never have I paid attention to it this way, and I felt like a proud Gondorian for just a minute.
Your essays on Shore's music are some of the best I've seen, equal to anyone else's. Thank you for showing how the themes of Rohan, Gondor, and Nature's Reclamation interweave and react to each other -- I'd never noticed that, not in this way. This is exceptional stuff. I only wish your essays were longer and more detailed, because there's clearly so much more to be said! (Your pacing is great, and very accessible, which I appreciate. I'm just a nerd who loves to see how veteran artists craft their art.)
Thank you so much! This is such a kind comment. I would like to make them longer, but it’s a time factor. Even these 11-13 minute essays took months to put together. Thank you for watching.
I have to agree with David, sir. I am in awe of your eloquence in attention to details. Thank you again.
All of your videos are masterful. A lot goes over my head (lol), but still super interesting and engaging.
I'm sitting here, finding myself crying. How can - after all these years and countless times of hearing that music and seening that scenes - can still have that emotional inpact? This is legendary.
Lord of the Rings is such a masterpiece even the soundtrack has it's own character development 😭
The lighting of the beacons in the realm of men was so chilling! I love it!
The charge of the Rohirrim and the "release" of the score as they descend upon the Pelennor Fields has always brought me to tears. However, they are victorious tears - not of sorrow or happiness. It's kind of cool to understand a little bit of why that is. The progression and reawakening of Rohan was set up over the course of two films to finally resolve there. It's one thing to know it conceptually through the story, but you lay out the visceral nature of the music itself. Really awesome stuff. Thank you.
So many years since this movie was released and I still cry every single time at this scene. The desperate rohirrin, riding to death, their courage strengthening while they ride and the music growing along! Even remembering this scene makes me cry. It's truly a masterpiece.
Amazing as always! Excellent analysis; gave me chills the whole time. I always loose it once the Gondor motif comes in during the lighting of The beacons-it gets me every time.
Thanks Sarah! That is one of the most amazing moments in musical cinema history.
I didn’t think I could appreciate Howard Shore’s score more. Amazing.
Good God how have I never noticed the perfect fourth being closer to Gondor's theme as Rohan's army draws nearer to Minas Tirith. Brilliant.
"The White Tree", the music underpinning the lighting of the beacons scene, is HANDS-DOWN my favorite piece in the entire trilogy of movies.
As this excellent video analysis points out, it is the EMOTIONAL turning point in the global conflict (even as the Battle of the Pelennor Fields is the factual turning point. )
Despite Denethor's madness, "Gondor calls for aid."
Frustration and despair giving way to glorious, renewed hope.
I remember sitting in the theater with tears just streaming down my face.
I looked over, and my wife was having the exact same reaction.
And just LISTENING to this music almost 20 years later, it still evokes some of that same emotional response.
That's how you know you've written ONE WHALE of a symphonic soundtrack. And we are all enriched, thereby.
Even in analysis, the Ride of the Rohirrim (music and charge itself) makes me tear up. Your explanation and passion for the material are so good!
The Ride of the Rohirrim is the best scene in the entire trilogy imo and Theoden-King gives the best pre battle speech in all of cinema. The music on top of it just makes it that much more epic in the purest sense.
The music in these films is my favourite character.
no matter what, the fields of pelenor soundtrack systematically get a tear to my eyes, I believe this is the closest any music ever got to true heroism
Well said 😭
Lord of the Rings is one of the most important movies to get the score perfect.
For those who don't know; The world of Arda (Earth) was made through Eru's (God's) use of the Music of the Ainur, and all evil was brought about by Melkor's discord. Music is the foundation for all things in Tolkien's universe.
Between this foundation given in the Silmarillion, and Tolkien’s creation of the entire universe to give a home for his initial creation of the language and dialects of Elvish, Howard Shore barely scratched the surface of the poetry and music hidden throughout Tolkien’s writings. Shore’s music is so far beyond parallel, I listen to it on loop! But there are days I wish he had been given free rein to interpret and score all of the poetry and songs Tolkien wrote. Bergen and Luthien, the 20+ verses of the dwarves’ Misty Mountains (love the three verses we got, but full version please?!), so many pieces in the Silmarillion and unfinished tales! I had at one point taken it into my over ambitious mind to write a strictly musical “History of Middle Earth” work spanning just the Silmarillion - but then realized I’m no Howard Shore and I couldn’t possibly do it justice 😅
No other music than this has ever sent such utter chills down my spine. I can listen to it constantly and somehow its resonance with my soul is renewed each time. God Bless Howard Shore for the joy it brings to my life.
Isn't it wonderful how twenty years after their release we can come together and geek out over these aspects? Not simply as music enthusiasts or Tolkien fans, but as humans touched by the artistic masterpiece that unites both worlds.
Also, I would love to watch an edited version of the trilogy that is basically a music video: I would happily sit a couple of hours to watch how the music alone carries the film without all the background noise
8:24 I must say, that was pretty clever. It would never have occurred to me to consider the diegetic horn call as a part of the score's thematic progression. Especially since there's also a precedent in the track "Merry's Simple Courage", which is where I thought you were going with this.
Thank you! Well, I was actually going to include 'Merry's Simple Courage' in their as well, because you get the perfect fifth + you get a mixing of Rohan's fanfare + the last four pitches of the 'Minas Tirith' theme, which is really cool. But, it ended up being too long, so I had to cut it.
@@ListeningIn Understandable. Now please check out my comment on your previous video!
This video is so underrated. I can tell you put lots of effort into it. It's too bad more people haven't seen it.
What an absolute miracle that these movies even exist, and while I loved the music before I have a much deeper appreciation for it now. Thank you for the video
I still get goosebumps over the music that plays while the beacons are being lit. The best phase of the whole series. Thanks for the video. I like that you show the score as the music plays. I can see more than I can hear when you do.
oh hey look it's just another videoessay about music...
...aaand i'm crying again
Thank you for the analysis, splendid job!
The Lighting of the Beacons is a standalone masterpiece. One of the best segments in the films.
The other day I realised how much I randomly hum themes and motifs from this soundtrack, according to my emotional state. Feeling happy, it's the shire theme. Triumphant, fellowship. Sad and nostalgic, Gondor. Hopeful, rohan. Angry, isengard
I'm amazing how people like you exist, able to articulate every emotion in music...choked up the entire time!
an excellent tag line
-a girl about to perform the LOTR symphony next year with a proper professional choir
The lighting of the beacons imo is the most impressive combination of cinematography and score I can think of. Just beautiful and daunting.
This essay has such harmony and coherence that clarifies and simplifies the complex ideas and emotions brought about by the masterpiece that's LOTR. Many thanks for expressing and releasing these for us - what a catharsis!
LotR has such a glorious combination of music, filmmaking and story! I always knew these moments were the most epic I had seen in any film but I'm so glad you could elucidate the reasons why. So fascinating! Your videos are always such an experience to watch and I'm always excited when the notification pops up!
It really does. Thank you so much for watching Max! I'm so pleased you're enjoying my videos. Hope you like the last one in the series.
Yeah the amazing part for me is also the development over the music over 10+ hours of epic Cinema storytelling.
I'm wondering whether there are more examples of this in TV, where's there's a similar scale to work with (many hours of story vs just 2-3). I'm kind of wondering if Merlin has something like this.
I still remember when I was 13 and my and my dad and little sister went and saw the Return of the king. The ride of the rohirrim is still just as magical to me now as it was then. I love how Howard shores music makes the riders of rohans chants of death sound like music in its self.
I have not cried that hard in a long time. Absolutely moving the way you delivered this. God do I love these movies and this score. Thank you.
Chills all over. The LOTR score is will always be one of the greatest.
Tl:Dr how Howard shore managed to get the best charge scene in movie history.
6:20 the fact that you leave in these integral moments makes me very happy. I love this.
I didn’t think i’d be able to find an even deeper appreciation for Shore’s work on the Lord of the Rings, but you managed to give me that. Thank you so much.
2:38 For some reason I burst into tears by this part of the video... I wonder why.
My favourite leitmotif in the entire history of cinema.
Who could tell that in this movie Tolkien's dream would have been fulfilled, after all... several geniuses of art, working together to bring this world to life.
The Lighting of the Beacons is pure epicness. Gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.
This trilogy is the best thing mankind ever created
And nothing will ever come close to it
I honestly agree.
Thank you for makeing these videos. It makes me remember all the greatness in Howard Shore's music. Brilliant.
My pleasure!
I remember honestly not being able to believe my eyes and ear when the first time I saw the lighting of the beacons sequence. Now I just flat out cry them eyes out while my ears also basically weep with joy.
There’s no music in this world that touches my soul the way this soundtrack does
This really is hands down one of the best music theory related videos I’ve ever watched on TH-cam, if not the best video full stop. I’m so so happy I’ve come across your channel.
I seriously want to cry whenever I watch your videos, esp of this incredible trilogy. The amount of focus and respect you have done with your research and structuring is so beautiful and so welcome. I appreciate this and YOU so much. Thank you so much 😭🔥❤️ I hope more and more people see this and subscribe because THIS is the type of things we need to see more of on TH-cam.
About the music of the beacons, the violins line reminds me of Loge's theme in Wagner's ring, to symbol flame, and the brass represent the journey through mountains.
Perfection. I used to watch these very scenes over and over on the DVD. The music played a vital part in what drew me to them.
The lighting of the beacons is one of the most stunning pieces I’ve ever heard.
The lighting of the beacons is the finest piece of music i ever heard!
Again, you've written another compelling narrative to accompany your video. I really enjoy the way you link and explain the technical aspect of writing the music, with emotion the composer is intending to trigger in the viewer. Rohan's perfect fifth - hearing it suddenly meant so much more.
9:40 I don’t know what it is, but that little trill on the high strings always cuts right to my love for the film EVERY time I hear it
The best soundtrack ever made. Fact. Best movie experience ever made.
It doesn't matter how many times I've seen it, that moment where the camera is flying over the beacons as they're being lit, and that Gondor theme blasts forth in earnest, gives me chills and sends shivers down my spine. Every. Single. Time.
Im rewatching the films this weekend and this video is going to stick with me as I watch these key moments. Now I will have a better understanding of why these scores and battles work so well, and an even greater appreciation for the scores as a whole. Thank you for doing this music justice.
Man you deserve an Oscar yourself for this series of videos
Howard Shore is a master and this was fire
I had to turn down the AC in my car because of the chills I got while listening to your descriptions of Shore's music. Excellent video, sir.
The Ride of the Rohirrim gets me to tear up every time, I think because of what it symbolizes to me. Every time I see that charge, its telling me to have faith in humanity; that we CAN unite and put aside our differences to fight for our fellow man, "and that is an encouraging thought"
Your videos are masterpieces and unrivaled in the music essayst landscape.
These are the only videos where i have to cry. Its absolute shame that you had to stop creating.
I kept getting goosebumps watching this. What a testament to it’s greatness
This is a brilliant explanation and honouring of one of the best szenes in the history of filmmaking and me as a grown up now understands why I cried tears of joy as a kid when seeing the ride of the Rohirrim. All this tension finally resolved.
I want to add that you forgot one thing: the abscence of said music. When the Rohirrim hit the lines of orcs, the music appruptly ends. For a brief moment there is nothing but emptiness of music in a movie that is full of it, inspired by the books of someone who thought music is what brings this world to existance in the first place. No music, silence, if you will so, while the theme of Rohan and Gondor is finally resolved, the tension is resolved a second time when they ride through the lines of evil.
I'm surprised more aren't watching this on a regular bases, ya have an awesome way of showing the progression of the musical scores and how they created such emotion to things.
The horn sounding the arrival of Rohan on the fields of Pelenor never fails to give me goosebumps
WTF man I literally started crying while watching this video!! this music is so good. it is crazy what it can do to peoples feelings.
The beacons being lit was so amazing the music just added so much to the scenery
I can't think of any other YT video that has moved me as much as this one, I never even leave comments. The way you captured Shore's work into words makes it possible to appreciate these movies even more, which I didn't think it was. Well done sir.
And as that wave crashes upon the orcs, the music briefly fades and we are overwhelmed by the sound of violence and the great sacrifice Rohan just made to fulfill their oath. Amazing.
I remember watching the beacons scene in the theater. Everyone was cheering and crying. The sound still gives me chills. I'm crying listening to it right now!😭😭😭😭
Howard Shore has accomplished a form of magic most fitting for Middle Earth. The music is woven behind every scene, a web of meaning that can be felt more easily than it can be understood. And only after studying it does the true gravity of his work make itself known to the blessed viewer.
That's why I listen to the score while reading the LOTR trilogy :)
8:24 the top 1 music and scene in movie history. I watched the movie dozens times and have goosebumps all over my body all over again. As strong as during my first watch in 2003. This is how hope, life, strong will, love for good thing and resistance to evil sounds to me. I always want to burst in tears. Extatic moment!! ❤️
WTF, THIS WAS THE MOST EPIC THING I'VE EVER HEARD