Jamison Brandon

Music 1010
December 6, 2015
Howard Shore
Throughout the years the soundtrack to the Lord of The Rings movies have
always been a unique and iconic collection of pieces that has stood the test of time.
Although Howard Shore has been known for these soundtracks, he has produced a
myriad of musical projects that span throughout TV and movie history. His unique sound
and orchestral prowess have helped him to remain a prominent modern music
composer.
Howard Shore began life in Toronto, Canada. From there he started by working
on TV music. Most notably with his longtime friend Lorne Michaels on the hit comedy TV
show Saturday Night Live in 1975. His career lasted 5 years there. After this he took his
talent to the big screen. He started to compose musical soundtracks for numerous
movies during this time. Some of the notable exceptions were the movies Big, Dead
Ringers, and Naked Lunch. He hit large acclaim with his work with the Silence of the
Lamb movie. This would net him several top awards for best soundtrack. (Biography,
2013)
Howard really hit it big with his work done with the movies The Lord of the Rings
and The Hobbit. These movies really showcased the power and emotion of his music.
These movies mounted him several awards. The music has been very iconic and
popular to listen to, even outside of watching the movie.

The main example I have from this series is the piece The Fellowship. This
piece details many of the main themes exhibited in the first movie The Fellowship of
the Ring. (The Fellowship -Howard Shore, 2009) Which will be detailed in a listening
guide. This piece has a very melancholy feel to it. It is happy and triumphant in parts,
and very sorrowful in others. This song has a separate version in which it features the
singing of Edward Ross called The Breaking of the Fellowship. (Howard Shore
Biography, 2015)
Howard Shore has been a part of over 80 plus different compositions throughout
his career. His unique and atmospheric sound has contributed to a plethora of awards
and accolades. One of the main attributes in his pieces are the tendency to use a slight
drone tone throughout many of his pieces. This drone helps to accompany the melody
through the piece. His music tells a story on its own and has many great emotional
parts. (Howard Shore Bio Reference, 2015)
Throughout his lifetime, Howard Shore has been one of the more accomplished
composers of our generation. He has created one of the most iconic soundtracks for the
Lord of the Rings movies. This soundtrack will continue to resonate with music lovers.
We will always be able to hear his accomplishments from TV and the movie industry for
years to come.
Listening Guide
Title: The Fellowship
Composer: Howard Shore
Arranger: Howard Shore
Date: November 2001

Genre: Orchestra program music

Melody: Conjunct in many parts, and disjunct in the other parts. Many different motifs.
Wave like shape with notable ascending parts.
Rhythm/Meter: Triple meter
Harmony: Homophonic mainly with polyphonic parts
Form: ABAB
Expression: Slow moving all together. Focal points on the loud and soft points of the
piece.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CXGG3_prGA

0:00-1:00: Opening with brass and strings into the fellowship theme
1:00-2:13: Strings play in polyphonic manner
2:13-2:59: The minor Hobbit Theme plays with wooded flute
2:59-3:39: Vocal part comes in transition to next theme, still with lots variation on
Concerning Hobbits theme
3:39-4:41: Brass comes in triumphantly with the new theme. At 4:04 bass percussion
comes in to accompany brass and strings.
4:41-5:07: Wood flute comes in again for the minor Hobbits theme
5:07-5:27: Key change to Major Hobbits theme by string and soft flute sound
5:27-5:51: Theme from 3:39 comes back, to triumphantly close the piece

Bibliography
Biography. (2013). Retrieved from Howard Shore's website:
http://www.howardshore.com/biography/
Howard Shore Bio Reference. (2015). Retrieved from Film Reference:
http://www.filmreference.com/film/61/Howard-Shore.html
Howard Shore Biography. (2015). Retrieved from Billboard:
http://www.billboard.com/artist/1496496/howard-shore/biography
The Fellowship -Howard Shore. (2009, March 6). Retrieved from YouTube.com:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CXGG3_prGA