Ascending Motif
Used at the very beginning and when Aragorn sees the Uruks while on Brego.

The History of the Ring Theme
A mysterious, sad theme, used in the movie to track the journey of the Ring, and its relationship with Gollum and Frodo

Passage of the Ring theme
A simple horn motif, used when Galadriel talks of the Ringbearer's Quest.

Misty Mountain Motif
A weary, 3-2-3 note theme, used to represent the mightiest mountain range in Middle-earth.

Oboe Motif
used when F+S are travelling in the Emyn Muil, and when Gandalf Talks about the Urgency of the Quest.

Shire Theme
A Celtic theme, often played on wood flutes,used to represent The Shire.

Smeagol/Gollum:

A: The Gollum theme from FOTR. (Slinker)
An evil, slithering string theme, but while also sounding evil, also sounds pitiable and sad. Used to represent Gollum when he is discussed or on screen

B: the Cimbalon Motif from TTT. (Stinker)
A jittery motif, played on the Hammered Dulcimer, used to represent the Stinker side of Gollum's Personality.

Dead Marshes
A shimmering string motif, used once when we get an ariel view of the marshes as the Travellers to Mordor go through it, and once with chilling choir as Frodo is about to fall in the Mere of Dead Faces.

Nazgul Theme
A Gothic Choral theme, sung in an ancient tongue of man, full of terror and fear, and complemented by bold brass and tense under-strings, and occasionally used as a theme for the rings power. Used once when the Wraith flies over the Dead Marshes. General lyrics are as follows:
Chorus in Adûnaic:
Nêbâbîtham Magânanê
Nêtabdam dâurad
Nêpâm nêd abârat-aglar
îdô Nidir nênâkham
Bârî 'n Katharâd

'We deny our maker.
We cling to the darkness.
We grasp for ourselves power and glory.
Now we come, the Nine,
Lords of Eternal Life.

Circling Melody
Used when the Wraith leaves the Marshes after circling over the Travellers

Dancing Motif
A dancing string motif, used when the Riders of Rohan ride up the Hill, when Legolas pulls out an arrow towards Eomer, and when Grishnakh runs after Merry and Pippin in Fangorn.

Ents
A lumbering wooden theme, played slowly, used when Treebeard starts to squeeze Merry and Pippin, when he bends over when they are smoking the Pipeweed in Saruman's Storeroom, and when the Ents arrive at the Entmoot in a choral form.

Fangorn
A Mysterioso string motif, used to represent the Forest, used when Merry and Pippin run into it, and often in the Scenes within the Forest

White Wizard Motif
Used when Treebeard drops Merry and Pippin at the feet of the White Wizard, and when he meets the three hunters in fangorn.

The White Rider Theme
Used to represent gandalf, used when he rides with the Three Hunters towards Edoras on Shadowfax, when he rides to find Eomer, and when he rides down the shale-slope towards The Hornburg.

Shadowfax's theme
A beautiful choral motif, used when Shaodwfax gallops over a hill near Fangorn, and when he rides with Gandalf down the Slope.

Rohan Theme
a noble, yet Medieval sounding theme, used most often on the Hardinger fiddle. Used to represent Theoden and the People of Rohan.

Eowyn's Theme
A noble string and brass motif, used in every scene feturing Eowyn prominently.

Grima's Theme
A descending string motif, used when Grima first appears, when he talks with Eowyn, and in a fanfare when he rides into Isengard.

Eomer's Theme?
A bold brassy theme used when Eomer rides from the Fords of Isen with Theodred

Isengard
A large, threatening evil theme, off-kilter, played on trombone and hammer, in 5/4 percussion, used to represent Saruman, his fortified Isengard, his Uruk-hai, and his forest killing “development," developed in this score to the point where the theme is huge and threatening, perfectly mirroring Isengard.

Mordor
An evil, devilish theme, played on high strings, brass and Rhaita. Very threatening. Used thrice, when we see Mordor and Barad-dur through Orthanc's Palantir, and when The Black Gate is opening.

Seduction
A mysterious, seductive, choral theme, used when Faramir is tempted by the thing around Frodo's Neck.

Ithilien
a deep, dark string motif, used only in ithilien, especially when Frodo and Sam speak of the ring before Gollum's talk with Smeagol, when the Travellers see the Haradrim, and when the Moon rises of Ithilien in "The Forbidden Pool."

Faramir
A descending or Ascending phrase for strings or brass, used in a few scenes which prominently feature Faramir.

Gondor
A noble brass piece, used to represent the Dunedain in Eowyn and Aragorn's Dunedain Talk, and Used to represent Gondor Proper when Boromir givews his speech above Osgiliath and when he leaves for Rivendell

Nature/Unexpected Hope
A noble, motif, filled with Hope, used when Merry and Pippin Speak of the Living Trees of the Old Forest, when the Ents march to Isengard, and when Aragorn urges Theoden to ride out at theSunrise at HElm's Deep.

Rivendell
A beautiful choral motif, played once in the movie, when the Elves leave Rivendell for the Grey Havens, taking Arwen with them. The lyrics are an Elvish poem called “A Elbereth Gilthoniel” The General lyrics are as follows:
Chorus in Sindarin
A Elbereth Gilthoniel,
silivren penna miriel
o menel aglar elenath,
na-chaered palan diriel
o galadhremmin ennorath
nef aear, sí aearon,
Fanluilos, le linnathon
Nef aear, sí aearon!

Lothlorien
An exotic, choral theme, used to represent Galadriel and the Woods Of Lothlórien. Developed in this Film more than Fellowship, Shore giving it to the Brass and Percussion, turning it into a War March for the Elves at Helm's Deep.
General Lyrics:
Chorus in Quenya
Ilfirin nairelma
Nauva i nauva
Ilfirin nairelma
Ar ullume nucuvalme
nauva i nauva
melme noren sina
nairelma

Fellowship Theme
A Grand, heroic theme, often played on brass, used when the Three Hunters are first seen, Bhind the Fellowship's Choral Motif when they Chase down the Uruks, in a low brass form when they see the Burning Uruks from afar, and when Legolas slides down the Staircase on a shield.

Rohirric Battle Motif
An Epic motif used when the Rohirrim slaughter the Uruks and when they ride to Battle against the Wargs.

Rohan Riding Call
A beautifull choral motif, used to represent the Rohirrim. Used in Brass when Aragorn suits, and before his Conversation with Haleth
General lyrics follow:

Chrous in Old English (Rohirric)
Hwær cwóm helm? Hwaer cwóm byrne?
Hwær cwóm feax flówende?
Hwær cwóm hand on hearpestrenge?
Hwær cwóm scir fýr scinende?
Hwær cwóm lencten and hærfest?
Hwær cwóm héah corn weaxende?
Hwá gegaderath wuduréc of
wealdholte byrnende?
Oððe gesiehth of gársecge
ðá géar gewendende?

'Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?
Where is the hand on the harp string, and the red fire glowing?
Where is the spring and the harvest, and the tall corn growing?
Who shall gather the smoke of, the dead wood burning?
Or behold the flowing years, from the Sea returning?

Evenstar
Another beautiful choral theme, used to represent the Love between Aragorn and Arwen.
Lyrics:
Chorus in Sindarin
Ú i vethed nâ i onnad. [0.00]
Si boe ú-dhanna.
Ae ú-esteli, esteliach nad.
Nâ boe ú i
Estelio han, estelio han, estelio,
estelio han, estelio veleth.

This is not the End but the Beginning.
Now you must not fail.
If you don't trust something..'
The Quest must not Fail
'Trust this, trust this, trust
Trust this, trust love
You Must trust soemthing.

Fellowship Choral Motif
An Epic, choral motif, used when the three hunters chase down the Uruks.

Merry and Pippin's Motif
A playful motif for Merry and Pippin in the Entdraught and Flotsam and Jetsam scenes

Balrog Theme
A evil, threatening, foreboding theme, played on drums and brass, when the Balrog drags Gandalf down into the Abyss with him. Used to represent the Balrog of Morgoth and its power

Danger motif?
Used when Old man Willow grabs the Hobbits. Also in ROTK'S "Ash and Smoke"

Hope of the West theme
A noble theme, used when Aragorn and Gandalf talk about the secrecy and Urgency of the Quest, the hope of the West and of the Free Peoples. Used much in ROTK.

quote:

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Originally posted by ridan:
Ascending Motif
Used at the very beginning and when Aragorn sees the Uruks while on Brego.

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I'd tend not to call that a motif unless there was some kind of dramatic link between the scenes. The obvious similarity in the three ascending horn notes could be coincidental. Most likely it is connecting material and not thematic.

Passage of the Ring theme
A simple horn motif, used when Galadriel talks of the Ringbearer's Quest.

I think this is also connecting material, and not intended to be viewed as a motif with a dramatic purpose by Shore.

Misty Mountain Motif
A weary, 3-2-3 note theme, used to represent the mightiest mountain range in Middle-earth.

Does this appear in TTT? There is some string writing at the opening of the film that I've thought might be related to that mysterious Caradhras theme... but the lines are much longer.

Oboe Motif
used when F+S are travelling in the Emyn Muil, and when Gandalf Talks about the Urgency of the Quest.

It also appears as I recall in the Dead Marshes, during the 'Famished' scene. I've wondered about this little phrase, which has now been used about six times in the trilogy... I tend not to think there's anything systematic about its use, meaning it's probably better to think of it as connecting material.

A: The Gollum theme from FOTR. (Slinker)
An evil, slithering string theme, but while also sounding evil, also sounds pitiable and sad. Used to represent Gollum when he is discussed or on screen

There is a variation on this theme that seems to provide the basic melodic idea for Gollum's Song and appears about four times in the film. I've been tempted to call it a motif in itself, though it's clearly dependent on this one.

Nazgul Theme
A Gothic Choral theme, sung in an ancient tongue of man, full of terror and fear, and complemented by bold brass and tense under-strings, and occasionally used as a theme for the rings power. Used once when the Wraith flies over the Dead Marshes.

A brass version appears as Treebeard stomps on Grishnakh. There's no clear link to the Nazgul in that scene.

Circling Melody
Used when the Wraith leaves the Marshes after circling over the Travellers

Two other danger motifs... the Skip-beat Ostinato / Danger Arpeggio, and the Descending Third motif both appear in this film's score. Apologies for misleading you about the latter when you asked over at SMME ... I had forgotten that the Descending Third motif is used when Treebeard kills Grishnakh, something I only realised while watching part of the film tonight.

Dancing Motif
A dancing string motif, used when the Riders of Rohan ride up the Hill, when Legolas pulls out an arrow towards Eomer, and when Grishnakh runs after Merry and Pippin in Fangorn.

Two things. I know I called the phrase I think you mean a motif in my TTT:EE analysis, but it really is an isolated usage. The 'dance motif' as I called it is really an ostinato under a variation on the Isengard brass melody in the Grishnakh scene. It isn't the same phrase that we hear when Legolas goes bow-happy on Eomer.

Ents
A lumbering wooden theme, played slowly, used when Treebeard starts to squeeze Merry and Pippin, when he bends over when they are smoking the Pipeweed in Saruman's Storeroom, and when the Ents arrive at the Entmoot in a choral form.

The Ent theme has a much softer form as well, though it is in essence a variation on the same theme. I might highlight this a little more in the next part of my TTT analysis.

Fangorn
A Mysterioso string motif, used to represent the Forest, used when Merry and Pippin run into it, and often in the Scenes within the Forest

Interesting. Didn't really think of that, but you're right that there is some repeated 'mysterioso string' writing (interesting choice of words) in the Fangorn sequences.

White Wizard Motif
Used when Treebeard drops Merry and Pippin at the feet of the White Wizard, and when he meets the three hunters in fangorn.

I was a bit unclear on this repeated phrase in my TTT analysis. Consider the use of ent instrumentation - the woodblock percussion and low brass - it strikes me as more a dangerous variation of the Ent theme than something you'd associate with the White Wizards. Even though both of its uses are linked to a 'white wizard', it could equally be interpreted as a dangerous version of the Ent theme.

Shadowfax's theme
A beautiful choral motif, used when Shaodwfax gallops over a hill near Fangorn, and when he rides with Gandalf down the Slope.

It's actually based on the Rohan theme, and I don't consider it an independent theme but a variation on the Rohan one. As well, the two statements - at Fangorn and Helm's Deep - don't seem to be the same piece of music. Interesting note: the original music for Shadowfax was nothing like what ended up in the final film, as we can tell from listening to the album track 'The White Rider'.

Eomer's Theme?
A bold brassy theme used when Eomer rides from the Fords of Isen with Theodred

Compare to the opening of 'The Ride of the Rohirrim' and the closing of 'Fields of the Pelennor' tracks on the ROTK soundtrack, and I think you'll see that like those pieces of music, this is another warlike reading of the Rohan theme. It is unlikely to be a motif for Eomer, since Eomer is such a minor character in the films, and it isn't again used when he is present.

Ithilien
a deep, dark string motif, used only in ithilien, especially when Frodo and Sam speak of the ring before Gollum's talk with Smeagol, when the Travellers see the Haradrim, and when the Moon rises of Ithilien in "The Forbidden Pool."

Yeah... I was actually wrong about its use when Frodo and Sam speak of the Ring in Ithilien. I don't think its actually used there anymore... and I don't think I heard it when the Moon rises over Ithilien, that seems like dark string writing, but of a different nature. This means its use is limited to the appearance of the Oliphaunts, and the lumbering chord progression might be better thought of as a standalone motif for those creatures in that scene.

Faramir
A descending or Ascending phrase for strings or brass, used in a few scenes which prominently feature Faramir.

Definitely used in one scene, possibly in a second. It's a very subtle theme, hard to pin down.

Rivendell
A beautiful choral motif, played once in the movie, when the Elves leave Rivendell for the Grey Havens, taking Arwen with them.

This also appears in an instrumental version when Aragorn thinks about Arwen at the encampment of the Rohirrim refugees.

Lothlorien
An exotic, choral theme, used to represent Galadriel and the Woods Of Lothlórien. Developed in this Film more than Fellowship, Shore giving it to the Brass and Percussion, turning it into a War March for the Elves at Helm's Deep.
General Lyrics:
Chorus in Quenya
Ilfirin nairelma
Nauva i nauva
Ilfirin nairelma
Ar ullume nucuvalme
nauva i nauva
melme noren sina
nairelma

It was good of Marilynn to take the time to work out those lyrics, and their origins in the novels. For a long time, many thought Elbereth Gilthoniel was being sung here.

Rohirric Battle Motif
An Epic motif used when the Rohirrim slaughter the Uruks and when they ride to Battle against the Wargs.

There are about 2 or 3 of these repeated battle motifs for the Rohirrim vs Isengard, but I think I know the one you mean.

Rohan Riding Call
A beautifull choral motif, used to represent the Rohirrim. Used in Brass when Aragorn suits, and before his Conversation with Haleth

You think The Horse and the Rider is the same as the arming music? I'd never noticed that! I'd better go back and listen again.

Balrog Theme
A evil, threatening, foreboding theme, played on drums and brass, when the Balrog drags Gandalf down into the Abyss with him. Used to represent the Balrog of Morgoth and its power

I'm a bit reluctant to call it a motif as it really is a replay of the music for a replay of the scene up until the point where Gandalf falls.

Danger motif?
Used when Old man Willow grabs the Hobbits. Also in ROTK'S "Ash and Smoke"

I know what you mean about the similarity here. I suspect a little copy and paste on Howard's part. Strangely enough, it works well for both scenes.

Hope of the West theme
A noble theme, used when Aragorn and Gandalf talk about the secrecy and Urgency of the Quest, the hope of the West and of the Free Peoples. Used much in ROTK.

Used once in ROTK that I know of... when the Tower of Barad-dur falls and the Eye explodes. I'm still not sure if this is a motif... or simply some alternate reading of the Sauron/Mordor theme... parts of it make me think of the History of Gondor and the Fourth Age themes, both heard prominently in ROTK.

quote:

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It was good of Marilynn to take the time to work out those lyrics, and their origins in the novels. For a long time, many thought Elbereth Gilthoniel was being sung here.

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