It is one of the greatest works of cinema: created 23 years ago, it truly evokes an epic gasp in those who listen to it.

Watching the rays of the setting sun stretch across the green valleys, the old wizard and the hobbit peacefully blow a few smoke rings. Braving the snowy heights that loom into the distance, the nine companions in one bowl move toward the horizon and the unknown.

As the lantern awakens in the darkness, the majestic pillars of the dwarven city shine before the amazed eyes of travelers. At the very moment when the day star rises over the city swallowed up by the enemy, thousands of spears descend at full gallop on thousands of manes.

One of the most epic soundtracks in cinema

If you are familiar with the Peter Jackson films adapted from J.R.R. From Tolkien’s immortal work, you may recognize the Shire Hills, the Caradras Mountains, the Depths of Moria and the Pelennor Fields. And while those glorious landscapes materialized in your memories, they undoubtedly carried the triumphant notes of the original soundtrack, which is still one of the most epic ever created for the big screen.

According to many fans, the trilogy with 17 Oscars is close to perfection, certainly marked the history of cinema for the efficiency of its staging, the sophistication of the actors, the quality of the special effects, but also the power of the musical. score.

A significant challenge

Sometimes light and sunny, sometimes heavy and serious, sometimes lyrical and uplifting, this colossal work with a hundred different themes is constantly animated by an irresistible breath of adventure that continuously carries all the viewers in its wake.

If we shudder as much as we wander the vast regions of Eridor while contemplating The Fellowship of the Ring or watching the Riders of Rohan battle the legions of Mordor, it’s certainly thanks to the talent of Peter Jackson, but it’s also (and largely) thanks. Howard Shore is a genius.

Especially known for his previous work with David Cronenberg, this distinguished musician has never before had to compose real narrative themes for a feature film. The Lord of the Rings trilogy therefore presented him with a challenge comparable to that of Frodo, who must cross all of Middle-earth to cast the One Ring into the flames of Mount Doom.

“Holding a lantern in the dark.”

To achieve the masterful result we know, the maestro worked closely with Peter Jackson, gradually advancing the story, in the manner of Tolkien:

“We were taking parts of the story one at a time, and I turned to the Tolkien archive because Tolkien himself was writing the story step by step.Howard Shore explained 4 years ago in the Score podcast.

“We did the same thing. I often compare it to holding a lantern in the dark, we got lost, and I was holding the lantern and I said, ‘Peter, that’s it!’ And then it was his turn to hold the lantern and say, ‘A little more to the left!'” We went through the story scene by scene like that.

23 years after The Lord of the Rings came out, what’s your favorite piece of music from the trilogy?

(Re)discover our Top 5 Best Howard Shore Soundtracks…