Soundtracks of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy

The soundtracks to were composed and conducted by Howard Shore. The scores use a technique called leitmotif, which is a musical phrase associated with a character, a feeling, an event, etc.
 and scores won Academy Awards in 2002 and 2004. The Return of the King also won an Academy Award for the Best Song.
Howard Shore composed a huge number of leitmotifs for the trilogy; some have estimated the amount to be eighty.
== Principal leitmotifs ==
=== First appearance in The Fellowship of the Ring ===
* The One Ring theme: a minor-key string melody plays over the "Lord of the Rings" title card for all three films. Howard Shore hints in the production commentary for the film that it is a theme pertaining, in fact, to Gondor.
* Concerning Hobbits. The theme for the Shire. On the soundtrack, it starts by a solo flute playing the theme, followed by a solo violin and then the complete orchestra repeating this theme. The track then quiets down and the solo flute plays a second melody, followed by the orchestra. The track ends with the violin and then the flute repeating the first melody.
* Middle-earth motif. (When Frodo and Sam are in the corn field and Sam says: "If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been."
* Rivendell theme. First introduced on the track, "Many Meetings" and used throughout the trilogy.
* Isengard. Orc Theme, usually accompanied by a 5/4 rhythm in the percussion. (When we see Isengard or Orcs)
* Lothlórien. The Elf theme played in the Prologue and when the Fellowship enters Lórien
* Nazgûl motif. (When the Ringwraiths appear)
* Mordor theme. Played on the rhaita. (When we see Barad-dûr or when Mordor is mentioned)
* Fellowship theme. The main theme of the Trilogy played when the Fellowship pledges their allegiance to Frodo, or when they all run to the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.
=== First appearance in The Two Towers ===
* Gollum's motif.
* Éowyn's theme. Using open fifth intervals (lacking the third of the chord—this lack means that the chords cannot be defined as major or minor).
* Rohan motif. Featuring the hardanger fiddle.
* Evenstar.
* The March of the Ents, though the theme is first heard while Gandalf is trapped in Isengard.
=== First appearance in The Return of the King ===
* Minas Tirith/Realm of Gondor Theme, though this was hinted at during the Council of Elrond, and also existed in the Extended Two Towers DVD.
* Mithrandir/Grey Havens theme. Featured in Into the West, by Annie Lennox.
== Songs ==
* May It Be
** Nominated for Academy Award best song (2001).
* Gollum's Song
* Into the West
** Won the Academy Award for best song (2003).
== Soundtracks ==
=== The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ===
First release by Reprise Records. It (and all Lord soundtracks) was released on that label as it is also Enya's label on which she records.
==== Track listing ====
# The Prophecy – 3:54
# Concerning Hobbits – 2:55
# The Shadow of the Past – 3:33
# The Treason of Isengard – 4:01
# The Black Rider – 2:48
# At the Sign of the Prancing Pony – 3:14
# A Knife in the Dark – 3:34
# Flight to the Ford – 4:15
# Many Meetings – 3:05
# The Council of Elrond (Enya) – 3:49
# The Ring Goes South – 2:03
# A Journey in the Dark – 4:20
# The Bridge of Khazad-dûm – 5:57
# Lothlórien (feat. "Lament For Gandalf" Elizabeth Fraser) – 4:34
# The Great River – 2:43
# Amon Hen – 5:02
# The Breaking of the Fellowship (feat. "In Dreams" Edward Ross) – 7:21
# May It Be – 4:16 Performed by Enya
=== The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Complete Recordings ===
Second release by Reprise Records. This release also includes a DVD-Audio disc containing the entire score in 5.1 and 2.0 surround sound (at 48 kHz, 24-bit).
==== Track listing ====
===== Disc one =====
# Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All – 7:16
# The Shire – 2:29
# Bag End – 4:35
# Very Old Friends – 3:12
# Flaming Red Hair – 2:39
# Farewell Dear Bilbo – 1:45
# Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe – 8:45
# A Conspiracy Unmasked – 6:09
# Three Is Company – 1:58
# The Passing Of The Elves – 2:39
# Saruman the White – 4:09
# A Shortcut To Mushrooms – 4:07
# Strider – 2:34
# The Nazgûl – 6:04
===== Disc two =====
# Weathertop – 2:14
# The Caverns Of Isengard – 4:54
# Give Up the Halfling – 4:49
# Orthanc – 1:06
# Rivendell – 3:26
# The Sword That Was Broken – 3:34
# The Council Of Elrond Assembles – 4:01
# The Great Eye – 5:30
# Gilraen's Memorial – 5:01
# The Pass of Caradhras – 5:04
# The Doors of Durin – 6:03
# Moria – 2:27
# Gollum – 2:26
# Balin's Tomb – 8:30
===== Disc three =====
# Khazad-dum – 8:00
# Caras Galadhon – 9:20
# The Mirror of Galadriel – 6:21
# The Fighting Uruk-hai – 11:32
# Parth Galen – 9:13
# The Departure of Boromir – 5:29
# The Road Goes Ever On...(Pt. 1) – 5:58
# May It Be – 3:26
# The Road Goes Ever On... Pt. 2 (feat. "In Dreams", performed by Edward Ross) – 3:41
=== The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers ===
==== Track listing ====
# Foundations of Stone – 3:51
# The Taming of Sméagol – 2:48
# The Riders of Rohan – 4:05
# The Passage of the Marshes – 2:46
# The Uruk-hai – 2:58
# The King of the Golden Hall – 3:49
# The Black Gate is Closed – 3:17
# Evenstar (Featuring Isabel Bayrakdarian) – 3:15
# The White Rider – 2:28
# Treebeard – 2:43
# The Leave Taking – 3:41
# Helm's Deep – 3:53
# The Forbidden Pool – 5:27
# Breath of Life (Featuring Sheila Chandra) – 5:07
# The Hornburg – 4:36
# Forth Eorlingas (Featuring Ben Del Maestro) – 3:15
# Isengard Unleashed (Featuring Elizabeth Fraser & Ben Del Maestro) – 5:01
# Samwise the Brave – 3:46
# Gollum's Song (Performed By Emilíana Torrini) – 5:51
# Farewell to Lorien (Featuring Hilary Summers) – 4:37 1
1 — Only included on the Limited Edition release of the album.
=== The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: The Complete Recordings ===
==== Disc 1 ====
#Glamdring (3:50)
#Elven Rope (2:19)
#Lost in Emyn Muil (4:14)
#My Precious (2:56)
#Ugluk's Warriors (1:41)
#The Three Hunters (6:12)
#The Banishment of Éomer (3:54)
#Night Camp (2:50)
#The Plains of Rohan (4:14)
#Fangorn (5:13)
#The Dead Marshes (5:07)
#Wraiths on Wings (2:07)
#Gandalf the White (6:47)
#The Dreams of Trees (1:54)
#The Heir of Númenor (6:50)
#Ent-draught (2:53)
==== Disc 2 ====
#Edoras (4:34)
#The Court of Meduseld (3:10)
#Théoden King (feat. "The Funeral of Théodred" performed by Miranda Otto) (6:12)
#The King's Decision (2:07)
#Exodus from Edoras (5:42)
#The Forests of Ithilien (6:37)
#One of the Dúnedain (feat. "Evenstar" performed by Isabel Bayrakdarian) (7:13)
#The Wolves of Isengard (4:22)
#Refuge at Helm's Deep (3:59)
#The Voice of Saruman (1:11)
#Arwen's Fate (feat. "The Grace of the Valar" performed by Sheila Chandra) (3:58)
#The Story Foretold (3:58)
#Sons of the Steward (6:02)
#Rock and Pool (2:54)
#Faramir's Good Council (2:20)
==== Disc 3 ====
#Aragorn's Return (2:11)
#War is Upon Us (3:35)
#"Where is the Horse and the Rider?" (6:15)
#The Host of the Eldar (2:50)
#The Battle of the Hornburg (2:52)
#The Breach of the Deeping Wall (3:03)
#The Entmoot Decides (2:06)
#Retreat (feat. "Haldir's Lament" performed by Elizabeth Fraser) (4:40)
#Master Peregrin's Plan (2:31)
#The Last March of the Ents (feat. Ben Del Maestro) (2:31)
#The Nazgûl Attack (2:45)
#Théoden Rides Forth (feat. Ben Del Maestro) (5:47)
#The Tales That Really Matter (12:01)
#"Long Ways to Go Yet" (feat. "Gollum's Song" performed by Emilíana Torrini) (8:05)
=== The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ===
==== Track listing ====
# A Storm is Coming – 2:52
# Hope and Memory – 1:45
# Minas Tirith – 3:37
# The White Tree – 3:25
# The Steward of Gondor – 3:53
# Minas Morgul – 1:58
# The Ride of the Rohirrim – 2:08
# Twilight and Shadow – 3:30
# Cirith Ungol – 1:44
# Andúril – 2:35
# Shelob's Lair – 4:07
# Ash and Smoke – 3:25
# The Fields of the Pelennor – 3:26
# Hope Fails – 2:20
# The Black Gate Opens – 4:01
# The End of All Things – 5:12
# The Return of the King – 10:14
# The Grey Havens – 5:59
# Into the West – 5:49 Performed by Annie Lennox 
# Use Well The Days* - 3:07 * Available on certain versions of Album
=== The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: The Complete Recordings ===
==== Disc 1 ====
#Roots and Beginnings (6:31)
#Journey to the Crossroads (2:17)
#The Road to Isengard (2:18)
#The Foot of Orthanc (4:44)
#Return to Edoras (1:51)
#The Chalice Passed (1:50)
#The Green Dragon (feat. Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan) (0:34)
#Gollum's Villainy (2:10)
#Éowyn's Dream (1:24)
#The Palantír (3:10)
#Flight from Edoras (2:18)
#The Grace of Undómiel (feat. Renée Fleming) (6:21)
#The Eyes of the White Tower (4:33)
#A Coronal of Silver and Gold (8:26)
#The Lighting of the Beacons (9:03)
==== Disc 2 ====
#Osgiliath Invaded (feat. Ben Del Maestro) (8:47)
#The Stair of Cirith Ungol (2:40)
#Allegiance to Denethor (3:19)
#The Sacrifice of Faramir (feat. "The Edge of Night", performed by Billy Boyd) (4:08)
#The Parting of Frodo and Sam (4:04)
#Marshalling at Dunharrow (4:56)
#Andúril - Flame of the West (3:27)
#The Passing of the Grey Company (4:12)
#Dwimorberg - The Haunted Mountain (2:26)
#Master Meriadoc, Swordthain (1:39)
#The Paths of the Dead (6:22)
#The Siege of Gondor (9:01)
#Shelob's Lair (8:53)
#Merry's Simple Courage (2:08)
==== Disc 3 ====
#Grond - The Hammer of the Underworld (1:32)
#Shelob the Great (5:12)
#The Tomb of the Stewards (3:58)
#The Battle of Pelennor Fields (4:10)
#The Pyre of Denethor (2:59)
#The Mûmakil (0:57)
#Dernhelm in Battle (2:06)
#"A Far Green Country" (1:27)
#Shieldmaiden of Rohan (5:07)
#The Passing of Théoden (2:16)
#The Houses of Healing (feat. Liv Tyler) (2:58)
#The Tower of Cirith Ungol (4:41)
#The Last Debate (feat. "Asëa Aranion", performed by Sissel) (4:21)
#The Land of Shadow (6:29)
#The Mouth of Sauron (feat. Sir James Galway) (8:15)
#"For Frodo" (feat. Ben Del Maestro) (3:16)
==== Disc 4 ====
#Mount Doom (feat. Renée Fleming) (4:09)
#The Crack of Doom (4:01)
#The Eagles (feat. Renée Fleming) (2:23)
#The Fellowship Reunited (feat. Sir James Galway, Viggo Mortensen, and Renée Fleming) (12:18)
#The Journey to the Grey Havens (feat. Sir James Galway) (7:34)
#Elanor (feat. Sir James Galway) (1:27)
#Days of the Ring (feat. "Into The West", performed by Annie Lennox) (11:09)
#Bilbo's Song (2:57)
== References ==
== External links ==
Category:LOTR Original Motion Picture Soundtracks
Category:Soundtracks