The New Hobbit Hole

[Overtaxed]

Thanks! I've got a pint right now and may need one tomorrow! Taking the Precious must have been too much for that old HD. At least it's nice to know I've been missed.

[HairOfTheDog]

Have you guys seen this CD? - Lord of the Rings; Symphonie No. 1 - ~ Johan De Meij (Composer), performed by London Symphony. I saw it today at the record store... It's been out for some time. Wondered if you have heard it/liked it.

Finally bought the soundtrack! Been getting by all this time listening to the live internet stream, which doesn't have everything... About to play it now!

[ecurbh]

YES!! I played The Lord of the Rings Symphony in band in college and very highly recommend it. It wonderfully captures the emotions and characters. The five movements are:

1. Gandalf (starts off a warm noble theme, and transitions into a faster section depicting him galloping along on Shadowfax)
2. Lothlorien (more impressionistic music that then goes to the mirror of Galadriel, where we hear bits of the Gandalf and evil themes)
3. Gollum (two contrasting themes show the conflict between the "Slinker" and "Stinker" elements of the character)
4. A Journey in the Dark (dark plodding music that then becomes very percussive as it depicts the Bridge of Khazad-Dûm, and closes with a melancholy rendition of the Gandalf theme)
5. Hobbits (lively, happy, hobbity music. The movements fades out at the end as the characters are depicted leaving the Gray Havens)

I would recommend this recording, featuring the incomparable U.S. Marine Band.

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, had I known it would get such a raving review I would have bought it! - I almost did! - Next trip.

[JenB]

Hi friends! Back after a not-fun day looking for a job. Haven't found one yet and my feet hurt. Someone have a pint for me?

[HairOfTheDog]

Have a pint of your choosing! - My treat!

I tried to get you a job yesterday. My brother needs an IS help desk person! - But in the Los Angeles office...

[JenB]

Hehe... thanks for the thought but I need something that will, er, make me more money than I spend getting there!

[HairOfTheDog]

Yeah... the commute would be rough... Pennsylvania right? -

I may be wrong... he might be hiring in Phoenix... I can't remember, not that Phoenix would be any better for you!

[JenB]

Yes, Pittsburgh - far enough from Three Mile Island that I'm not going to ever be a glow-in-the-dark monster.

OT, repeat those Elf-bashing words in here, ok?

[HairOfTheDog]

OT is still elf-bashing over in the Dragon eh? - The honor and character of elves just should not have to be defended. It's like angel-bashing. It just isn't done!

[JenB]

Exactly, except Elves are a step closer to us than angels are. Elves can err and still be essentially decent beings. Angels don't sin (it seems, anyway) or they're not angels anymore.

Elves are kind of - you know those stained glass saints in Catholic churches and such places? Like that, only without the religious overtones, if you understand what I mean. But as Sam says, they're a bit above my likes and dislikes. (I like 'em anyway....)

[Sam Cree]

"The Lord of the Rings Symphony"

Excuse me for a foolish question. Does it evoke feelings of the English countryside, as does "Variations on a Theme by Thomas Tallis," or even Howard Shore's score?

[HairOfTheDog]

I am thrilled to finally have the whole soundtrack... Love having the Moria music now, which was not on the live feed... love the ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-chugga-chugga-lugga part! and the sweet song that plays when they are exiting Moria after losing Gandalf...

[Overtaxed]

Okay...Elves are snooty and where does Elrond get off thinking the world revolves around Rivendell. Haven't those snooty power brokers left yet?

Outside of Elves being immortal - which they didn't achieve on their own - I don't see where they are any better than Men. Their culture is stagnant and they live in the past. They'd rather leave than rebuild.

[HairOfTheDog]

They are above all of our likes and dislikes!

[HairOfTheDog]

Elrond doesn't say everything revolved around Rivendell... But everyone else may believe it does... or that great wisdom may be found there... All the problems of middle earth have just arrived at his doorstep, and he took them in and helped them solve it... what more do you want?

[SuziQ]

Variations on a Theme by Thomas Tallis,"

Oh man, one of my FAVORITE pieces of music!! I have a Ralph Vaughn Williams CD with that one, 'Variations on Dives and Lazarus', 'Variations on Greensleeves' and 'Lark Ascending'. It is HEAVENLY!

[Overtaxed]

The movie Elrond acts like the world revolves around Rivendell. What about Gondor and Rohan? He doesn't seem as worried about them and they're on the front lines. What about all the other people's of ME? The movie Elrond seems more worried about Rivendell ... a place the Elves are leaving anyway.

[JenB]

Well, they've rebuilt about twelve times already, their little cities keep getting knocked down and burned and stuff. I wonder how many thousand years it takes until you get so tired of life that you can't do anything....

[HairOfTheDog]

Are you just baiting us now? OK I will bite! - Bring me evidence!

Worried in what way about Gondor and Rohan?
What more is he supposed to say for them?
and how exactly is he more worried about Rivendell than anyone else?

I propose that he didn't say he wanted to protect Rivendell, only that Rivendell could not withstand both Mordor and Isenguard... So the ring could not "stay" there. Another option needed to be found!

What is with the boy's choir track on this CD? - it scared me, coming in out of the blue like that!