lost_istari
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The One Ring:
1st Major Theme - History of the Ring
Heard in the Prologue when "The Lord of the Rings" text appears (and at the begining of Two Towers/Return of the King), horns feature in this minor-moded and 'time-weary' melodic wisp.
2nd Major Theme - The Evil of the Ring
This theme for the One Ring is an impervious snarl, limited to only four pitches, descending 8 note figure, played mostly by low strings/brass. This theme is unwavering in its focus, representing the extrinsic forces of evil. This material stands for the most villainous inclinations of the Ring and for Mordor itself.
3rd Major Theme - The Seduction of the Ring
This theme is set in the pure clean tones of a humming boys chorus and punctuated by rumbling bass drum strokes. This theme respresents the intrinsic forces of evil, and the overwhelming allure of the One Ring. The theme reappears when Boromir and Aragorn contemplate taking it the Ring.
The Shire:
The Shire Theme has four settings, the melody establishes the sense of home, a regular and safe way of life that is threatened by Sauron and the Ring. The Shire theme reminds the audience that for all its spectacle and flourish, The Lord of the Rings is primarily about simple themes: friendship, loyalty, and the sanctity of home.
When the shire theme first appears, it is prodominately played on whistles, but as the Hobbits begin to lose their innocence flutes take foreground.
Pensive Setting
This setting is used in the hobbits' recollective moments and often appears as a solo whistle. Once the hobbits leave their home, the theme settles into a sense of longing.
Rural Setting
This setting plays as a jaunty, Celtic-influenced peasant melody. It represents the hobbits' gently whimsical life in Hobbiton.
Hymn Setting
This rendition grieves the hobbits' loss of innocence as it celebrates their resolve in the face of adversity.
A Hobbit's Understanding
This setting presents the Shire theme in its most florid guise. Even though it represents the hobbits at their most profound and complex, it remains tender and affectionate.
Shire Theme: Hobbit Accompaniments
The Hobbit Outline Figure
This simple figure, often heard in the celli and double basses, is used as an expectation of things to come. It is heard quite a bit in the early Shire scenes, portraying the hobbits' playful sides.
The Hobbit Two-Step Figure
This short figure appears frequently during the introduction of the Shire, and it often concludes with the End Cap figure.
The End Cap
A graceful rim-shot that plays to the good-humored hobbit lifestyle.
The Hobbit Skip Beat
This ostinato figure is heard throughout the Shire material, usually as an accompaniment, but sometimes more prominently.
Frodo's Theme:
One of the most prominate themes in the film, heard for the first time in the second chapter "The Shire" when we see Frodo for the first time. As Frodo's journey progresses this theme moves from whistle to strings, featuring most prominately in "The Breaking of the Fellowship" when Sam and Frodo embrace in the boat. Frodo's theme is meant to remind the audience of friendship, and its similarity to the shire theme; the values of home.
Aragorn's Theme:
Repeated ascending figure, brass, woodwind and strings. Heard for the first time when we meet 'Strider' at Bree then again at Weathertop. This theme is powerfull, demonstrating the underlying destiny of this central character.
Arwen's Theme (The Evenstar):
Characterized by a solo soprano lead and a soft choir chanting in Quenya, this theme demonstrates the ethereal quality of the Evenstar. Commented to be the most beautiful theme in the trilogy, the supernatural tones are augmented with alto flutes playing very low notes in the theme.
Sauron's Theme:
Four note motif on dissonate brass, heard in all scenec involving the Eye and tower of Baradur.
The Nazgul (RingWraiths):
Heavy Bass drum and stings (4/4 timing) underpining a choir chanting in the anceint tongue of Men, Adûnaic (the language the nine kings would have spoken). This theme is usettling and highly dramatic, scenes always involve/foreshadow danger to the fellowship.
Smeagol/Gollum:
1st Major Theme - Pity Theme
Brass, claranet and soft strings. Melancoly resonance. This theme stands for Gollum's sad state of existence. It has a knobby, twisted character, and it remains tonally elusive. The Pity theme becomes a central element in film one, representing Gollum and his influence even as he remains off in the shadows. Heard when we first see gollum in Moira.
2nd Theme - Evil Scheme
Based on a cimbalom, this theme is a descending line of notes - played with Gollum is 'up to something'.
Fellowship Theme:
Bold heroic fanfare, played by full orchestra but after the death of Boromir the complete theme is not heard again. This theme is most easily recognised from advertising of the first film, and in the shot of the nine members of the fellowship passing through two boulders in the early stages of their journey.
Journey Theme:
Slow theme, sad resonace played on bass instruments, representing the wieght of Frodo's burden, and the enormity of the fellowships odesey.
Nature Theme:
Soprano boy chanting in Sindarian. First heard when Gandalf 'talks' to the great moth atop his prison of Orthanc. This them is beautiful and haunting, juxtaposed with the Isengard Theme, it represents old vs new, nature vs technology.
Isengard Theme:
Brassy descending melody in 5/4 time. The prevailing feature of this theme is the use of strange percussion - a clanging anvil and chains hitting piano strings. This highly mechanised sound reminds us of Surumans sacking of the natural world, and of his fighting Uruk-Hia.
Gondor Theme:
Singular French Horn developed into stately full orchestra piece. First heard when Boromir talks of the White City at the council of Elrond. Intended to remind us of the grandure of Men.
ELVES
The elven themes use chromatic harmonies, Eastern influences, and unique instruments. The choral passages utilize female voices only, and the orchestra uses higher voices and "clean" harmonies. There is a quality of timelessness in the music, as well as a sadness that speaks to the end of an age.
Rivendell Theme:
Soft choir supported by ascending arpeggio chords, the musical representation of Imladris, the last homely house. This theme is as removed and beautiful as the elves that inhabit Rivendell.
Lothlorien (sometimes called Galadriel's) Theme:
Slightly offputting, yet vastly beautiful, this theme is the first cue heard in the film (during the prologue). This theme is defined by a choir chanting in Sindarian, underscored by a bass drum. Lothlorien, like Rivendell, was created by a ring of power, Nenya the water ring, and holds an ethereal quality. This theme is akin to Galadriel in nature.
Hope this is helpful
1st Major Theme - History of the Ring
Heard in the Prologue when "The Lord of the Rings" text appears (and at the begining of Two Towers/Return of the King), horns feature in this minor-moded and 'time-weary' melodic wisp.
2nd Major Theme - The Evil of the Ring
This theme for the One Ring is an impervious snarl, limited to only four pitches, descending 8 note figure, played mostly by low strings/brass. This theme is unwavering in its focus, representing the extrinsic forces of evil. This material stands for the most villainous inclinations of the Ring and for Mordor itself.
3rd Major Theme - The Seduction of the Ring
This theme is set in the pure clean tones of a humming boys chorus and punctuated by rumbling bass drum strokes. This theme respresents the intrinsic forces of evil, and the overwhelming allure of the One Ring. The theme reappears when Boromir and Aragorn contemplate taking it the Ring.
The Shire:
The Shire Theme has four settings, the melody establishes the sense of home, a regular and safe way of life that is threatened by Sauron and the Ring. The Shire theme reminds the audience that for all its spectacle and flourish, The Lord of the Rings is primarily about simple themes: friendship, loyalty, and the sanctity of home.
When the shire theme first appears, it is prodominately played on whistles, but as the Hobbits begin to lose their innocence flutes take foreground.
Pensive Setting
This setting is used in the hobbits' recollective moments and often appears as a solo whistle. Once the hobbits leave their home, the theme settles into a sense of longing.
Rural Setting
This setting plays as a jaunty, Celtic-influenced peasant melody. It represents the hobbits' gently whimsical life in Hobbiton.
Hymn Setting
This rendition grieves the hobbits' loss of innocence as it celebrates their resolve in the face of adversity.
A Hobbit's Understanding
This setting presents the Shire theme in its most florid guise. Even though it represents the hobbits at their most profound and complex, it remains tender and affectionate.
Shire Theme: Hobbit Accompaniments
The Hobbit Outline Figure
This simple figure, often heard in the celli and double basses, is used as an expectation of things to come. It is heard quite a bit in the early Shire scenes, portraying the hobbits' playful sides.
The Hobbit Two-Step Figure
This short figure appears frequently during the introduction of the Shire, and it often concludes with the End Cap figure.
The End Cap
A graceful rim-shot that plays to the good-humored hobbit lifestyle.
The Hobbit Skip Beat
This ostinato figure is heard throughout the Shire material, usually as an accompaniment, but sometimes more prominently.
Frodo's Theme:
One of the most prominate themes in the film, heard for the first time in the second chapter "The Shire" when we see Frodo for the first time. As Frodo's journey progresses this theme moves from whistle to strings, featuring most prominately in "The Breaking of the Fellowship" when Sam and Frodo embrace in the boat. Frodo's theme is meant to remind the audience of friendship, and its similarity to the shire theme; the values of home.
Aragorn's Theme:
Repeated ascending figure, brass, woodwind and strings. Heard for the first time when we meet 'Strider' at Bree then again at Weathertop. This theme is powerfull, demonstrating the underlying destiny of this central character.
Arwen's Theme (The Evenstar):
Characterized by a solo soprano lead and a soft choir chanting in Quenya, this theme demonstrates the ethereal quality of the Evenstar. Commented to be the most beautiful theme in the trilogy, the supernatural tones are augmented with alto flutes playing very low notes in the theme.
Sauron's Theme:
Four note motif on dissonate brass, heard in all scenec involving the Eye and tower of Baradur.
The Nazgul (RingWraiths):
Heavy Bass drum and stings (4/4 timing) underpining a choir chanting in the anceint tongue of Men, Adûnaic (the language the nine kings would have spoken). This theme is usettling and highly dramatic, scenes always involve/foreshadow danger to the fellowship.
Smeagol/Gollum:
1st Major Theme - Pity Theme
Brass, claranet and soft strings. Melancoly resonance. This theme stands for Gollum's sad state of existence. It has a knobby, twisted character, and it remains tonally elusive. The Pity theme becomes a central element in film one, representing Gollum and his influence even as he remains off in the shadows. Heard when we first see gollum in Moira.
2nd Theme - Evil Scheme
Based on a cimbalom, this theme is a descending line of notes - played with Gollum is 'up to something'.
Fellowship Theme:
Bold heroic fanfare, played by full orchestra but after the death of Boromir the complete theme is not heard again. This theme is most easily recognised from advertising of the first film, and in the shot of the nine members of the fellowship passing through two boulders in the early stages of their journey.
Journey Theme:
Slow theme, sad resonace played on bass instruments, representing the wieght of Frodo's burden, and the enormity of the fellowships odesey.
Nature Theme:
Soprano boy chanting in Sindarian. First heard when Gandalf 'talks' to the great moth atop his prison of Orthanc. This them is beautiful and haunting, juxtaposed with the Isengard Theme, it represents old vs new, nature vs technology.
Isengard Theme:
Brassy descending melody in 5/4 time. The prevailing feature of this theme is the use of strange percussion - a clanging anvil and chains hitting piano strings. This highly mechanised sound reminds us of Surumans sacking of the natural world, and of his fighting Uruk-Hia.
Gondor Theme:
Singular French Horn developed into stately full orchestra piece. First heard when Boromir talks of the White City at the council of Elrond. Intended to remind us of the grandure of Men.
ELVES
The elven themes use chromatic harmonies, Eastern influences, and unique instruments. The choral passages utilize female voices only, and the orchestra uses higher voices and "clean" harmonies. There is a quality of timelessness in the music, as well as a sadness that speaks to the end of an age.
Rivendell Theme:
Soft choir supported by ascending arpeggio chords, the musical representation of Imladris, the last homely house. This theme is as removed and beautiful as the elves that inhabit Rivendell.
Lothlorien (sometimes called Galadriel's) Theme:
Slightly offputting, yet vastly beautiful, this theme is the first cue heard in the film (during the prologue). This theme is defined by a choir chanting in Sindarian, underscored by a bass drum. Lothlorien, like Rivendell, was created by a ring of power, Nenya the water ring, and holds an ethereal quality. This theme is akin to Galadriel in nature.
Hope this is helpful