The finale of our exclusive interview! Concert halls on many continents have been packed to their limit as fans rush out to attend "The Lord of the Rings Symphony: Six Movements for Orchestra and Chorus." It's a grand presentation, incorporating not only selections from the soundtrack, but also video footage of maps, conceptual art, and paintings of beloved scenes, such as Gandalf's arrival by horse drawn carriage at Bilbo Baggins' door step. It's a must-see, must-hear event.
According to composer/conductor Howard Shore, the presentation may be preserved for posterity. "We are discussing a complete recording and filming of the symphony," he says by telephone. "We're talking about it."
Truth betold, Shore isn't the only one bringing this music to live audiences. He explains, "There are other conductors conducting the piece. The piece (was) performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by John Mauceri(of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra). Alexander Mickelthwaite did a concert of it with the Houston Symphony. So, there are other conductors.
"I mean, I'm not the only one who's conducting it. I think other people will take up the baton and do it. There are concerts planned (for the future). They go on for a few years."
Shore is presently working on the score for "L.O.T.R." director Peter Jackson's next block buster, a remake of the 1933 masterpiece "King Kong," which may limit his opportunities to make public appearances during the months ahead. He says, "I have composing commissions, and most of my time is spent composing, so this is just giving me another view of things. I'm getting away from my desk and getting on a podium. I mean, it's quite common for composers to do conducting. I'm enjoying it. I think I'll do it as long as I keep enjoying it."
Shore has also been busy writing music for the "Special Extended Edition" of "The Return of the King," due in stores shortly. Being as this might be his last opportunity to write music for a "L.O.T.R." adventure, it's been somewhat heart breaking for him, even though he's happy with the work itself and proud to complete the project.
"Yeah, yeah, it was bitter sweet. The parting was such that you were sad to (have it) end, but you knew the day would come. There was a certain joy in finishing, actually, and feeling that we gave it a good shot. We tried to do our best work. There was a certain satisfaction in that, but it was sad to stop.
"We could have gone on. Tolkien spent fourteen years writing The Lord of the Rings and I spent close to four years doing my work. Peter and (script co-writer) Fran (Walsh) spent almost eight years. We weren't tired of it. Mentally, we still had great interest in it, but we knew a time would come when we would have to stop."
As for his contributions to the "'R.O.T.K.' S.E.E.," Shore says, "I recorded fifty minutes of new music for the 'Extended Edition.' I even wrote new music for the end, for the fan roll in the end credits. I wrote a few new pieces for the end (of) the end of the trilogy."
Will all of the music truly end upon a comprehensive, definitive set of CDs, as has been rumored for some months now?
"We're working on it," Shore confirms. "It's still being discussed, but I'm proposing that there's nine (discs) and I'm hoping (that is the case). We would need that, really, for the complete trilogy, to have everything represented."
Asked if the tunes might end up on audio DVD, an increasingly popular medium among music buffs, Shore counters, "It's just not a format that people are really (using). It seems somewhat in its infancy, DVD-audio. I could be wrong... We're discussing different formats now. DVD audio is one of them, SACD is another format. We're trying to nail all that down. It hasn't been quite formed yet, the plan, but it's getting close. We're discussing it all the time."
As for whether the CD box set might hit shelves in time for the 2004 holiday season, Shore admits, "I don't know. It's getting a little late for that. I don't know that it will be this year."
by Claude Flowers
