Strangely enough, I liked the 2nd, 4th and 6th movements the best. The second movement started in Rivendell and went through Moria/Khaza Dum (really cool African-style beats that Howard Shore "danced" to while he conducted) to Lothlorien and then down the River to the breaking of the Fellowship. The movement was at least 45 minutes long -- as long or longer than any other 3 movements put together. It was really a symphony of 4 movements in itself.
The 4th movement was much shorter (of course) but it might have been my favorite. It was TTT's Hornburg, Forth Eorlingas, Isengard Unleashed and Gollum's Song. It had some of my favorites -- the "Appalachian" style Eorlingas with the sonorous fiddle, a return to the heavy percussion beats in Isengard and ending with a drop-dead gorgeous rendition of Gollum's Song by Sissel. It was short enough not to get tedious anywhere -- very compact and gave the feeling of one big hit after another.
The sixth movement was RotK, but started with a long section reprising a number of themes from throughout the rest of the soundtrack. Into the West and Grey Havens were the big highlight, with Sissel again just stunning on Into the West.
Howard Shore and the musicians got a 10 minute standing ovation at the end, he had to come out for bows three times.
If you don't get a chance to see it, be sure to buy the CD!
A fine review. Agree that Sissel was stunning. She really nailed her parts.