Of Rings and Myths: Wagner and Shore

[Preston]

I think I am posting in the right forum seeing as it is about classical.

Thought this was interesting. Basically, there is a concert that will be starting that has Richard Wagner's music from Der Ring des Nibelungen and Howard Shore's music from Lord of the Rings - side by side.

Here is the official link:
http://www.musicoflotr.com/2011/09/n...and-myths.html

[Sorrano]

That does look quite interesting! Thanks for posting that, Preston!

[Michael]

Are they trying to create one Ring to rule them all?

[Preston]

That does look quite interesting! Thanks for posting that, Preston!

Thanks Sorrano.

Are they trying to create one Ring to rule them all?

I don't know? It would seem like that, but the article says it is because of Shore's liking of Wagner's music, etc. - though, they are both about rings? Either way, I think it would make for a good concert.

[Sorrano]

Was Tolkein a Wagner fan?

[Preston]

I don't really know? I am guessing Chris might? Though, I do know that Tolkien denied LotR relating to Wagner's The Ring.

[Chris]

Tolkien never expressed any enthusiasm for Wagner's music, but he wasn't opposed to listening to it either. I think he was a bit cool toward Wagner's music because of the suggestions that he had derived Lord of the Rings from Wager's Ring cycle.

[Sorrano]

Superficially, there are similarities between the two works, but the Wagner seems more concerned with the depravity and lust for what the ring offers and in Tolkein's works we see more of nobility and efforts to "do the right thing". Tolkein's books are full of heroes and heroic deeds with a little bit about those that fail, falling to the lust for power and control of the ring. Wagner's operas are just the opposite and the heroes themselves fall, ultimately, to the consequences of the lustfull choices made by others.

[Chaszz]

Superficially, there are similarities between the two works, but the Wagner seems more concerned with the depravity and lust for what the ring offers and in Tolkein's works we see more of nobility and efforts to "do the right thing". Tolkein's books are full of heroes and heroic deeds with a little bit about those that fail, falling to the lust for power and control of the ring. Wagner's operas are just the opposite and the heroes themselves fall, ultimately, to the consequences of the lustfull choices made by others.

Wotan is considered by many to be the central character of the cycle and falls of course to consequences of his own lusts and selfish choices. Siegfried is the nominal hero and falls victim to his own naivete and through it, to Hagen's deceit. But what I really would like to know is what people think of Shore's music. I'm not much of a moiviegoer and have not heard the music in the films. Does it bear any level of comparison with Wagner's?

[Preston]

I'm not much of a moiviegoer and have not heard the music in the films. Does it bear any level of comparison with Wagner's?

I don't know how it compares to Wagner's music. Though, I do love the LotR music - at least certain pieces. It is right up my ally, in some sense, it seems.

There are hours and hours of music from the 12 hours of movies. They even came out with extended versions of the soundtrack like they did with the movies.

There are many others but here are a few pieces I enjoy from the first movie (there are three all together):
The Fellowship of the Ring:
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCVG9SeMqHA[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK7kmRNfi4s[/YOUTUBE][YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ttCJ6uQN_Q[/YOUTUBE]

And one from the second movie:
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om_BKWttz18[/YOUTUBE]
I would be glad to email you a .zip/.7z (preferably) file of certain selections that I own.

[Preston]

I would like to ask the forum members if they enjoyed any of the pieces posted of the LotR movie music? Particularly, the very first video - Lothlorien?

I would be appreciative for any replies. The only comment I have heard on them (on this site) is from Philip, who felt they were well orchestrated.

[Quijote]

I would like to ask the forum members if they enjoyed any of the pieces posted of the LotR movie music? Particularly, the very first video - Lothlorien?

I would be appreciative for any replies. The only comment I have heard on them (on this site) is from Philip, who felt they were well orchestrated.

I feel they are well orchestrated. No really, they are. I could also say they are excellent pastiche. Actually, I am a little bit jealous!

[Michael]

Talking about Wagner, I am trying to remember which musician or composer made the following statement:

"I loath and despise the music of Wagner, but I now find it impossible to listen to anyone else."

Has anybody else ever come across this quotation?

(And, incidentally, I love Howard Shore's music for LOTR especially the "Concerning Hobbits" piece, which is buried under sound effects in the actual movie.)




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[Quijote]

Talking about Wagner, I am trying to remember which musician or composer made the following statement:
"I loath and despise the music of Wagner, but I now find it impossible to listen to anyone else."

Debussy?

[Quijote]

We must wait for Roehre's return for confirmation / correction.