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$14.99 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Product DescriptionThe regular jewel-case version will contain one of seven collectors’ cards.
This final chapter of Peter Jackson's sprawling adaptation of Tolkien's "Ring" trilogy closes out one of the most accomplished cycles in cinema--and film music--history. As he's done for the saga's first two installments, composer Howard Shore has honed a mature, brooding orchestral masterpiece that's long on subtle shadings of mood and nuance, while eschewing the hollow bombast that's characterized all too many mainstream action and adventure films for three decades. If anything, he's pared this chapter of his music for Middle Earth even closer to the bone, the trilogy's familiar themes repeated with a sparing hand that only heightens their dramatic power. Like Herrmann before him, Shore has a preternatural understanding of orchestral timbres and their almost mystical connections with human emotions, and he's used it here to close out this remarkable trilogy with Wagnerian dramatic sweep, yet one with a distinctly modern, understated melodic sense that is Shore's alone. James Galway and Renee Fleming make key instrumental and vocal contributions, respectively, while Annie Lennox's soulful "Into the West" makes the expected, if unobtrusive, bow to the theatrical pop song conventions. --Jerry McCulley
Most Recent Customer ReviewsDate : 2009-10-20
Summary : Howard Shore achieves greatness
As an avid Tolkien and Lord of the Rings fan, I know what makes the movies so moving and epic. The answer is the soundtrack by Howard Shore. Each track puts you right into Middle Earth with the Fellowship and sweeps you away in their journey. For anyone who loves the trilogy or just good heartwarming music, this soundtrack is for you.
CD came prompt and in perfect packaging and conditions. No complaits what-so-ever.
Date : 2009-04-16
Summary : Return of the King CD
I loved the movie, Return of the King, especially the background music. I just had to have that music. It's hard to find a particular item at the local Border's, Best Buy, etc., but I know I can always depend on Amazon to come through with the product and at a very reasonable price. The Lord of the Rings was an amazing trilogy, and the music was equally amazing.. . especially for Return of the King. My sister introduced me to the trilogy, and I remember it as a wonderful time because we were engrossed in this movie, and ate popcorn and junk food, and it was a nice memory in my life. Listening to the soundtrack brings that memory back to me. . but the music in itself is truly beautiful. I bought 2 copies; one for her as a gift, and she was so pleased because she had been looking for a copy and couldn't find one.
Date : 2008-12-24
Summary : Not quite as good as the first but still lovely
Another beautiful selection of music from a fine movie. It might be something nice to play while you're reading or working on homework. There's something utterly relaxing about listening to a good soundtrack. I've found it a nice way to mark time when I'm working at home. Surprisingly, it can also help you study. I'm no official expert on that, but it personally worked for me.
In any case, a worthy investment.
Date : 2008-12-24
Summary : The Real Deal
This is just a note to confirm that this product truly is the actual soundtrack of the movie. Earlier, I was fooled into buying a cheap, synthesizer version of music "from" the movie. Rest assured that this CD contains the same rich, magnificent music (instrumental and vocal) from Return of the King that you remember. It will trigger the same emotions.
It was nice that Annie Lennox's "Into the West" was included as the final track.
Date : 2008-08-01
Summary : Near Perfection
Okay, I was already determined to love this album when I found out that Renee Fleming stars in three of it's pieces. But Howard Shore truly does provide a gorgeous presentation of his musical talents. Keeping in mind that this is a movie track, and therefore, there is a lot of "incidental" music in this album. It's not always riveting without the action of the movie to complete the story. But that is a challenge every composer of film music faces.
Flemming is flawless, providing a straight-tone (no vibrato), eerie, airy sound in her performances to emphasize the other-worldly influence of this music. One wonders how authentic her "elfin" would be, but since her vocals are nearly indistinguishable from the orchestra, the accent could hardly be determined anyhow.
The End Of All Things is an amazing piece of compositing, and I've been listening to it over and over. As stated by other reviewers, I don't feel that Annie Lennox was the best choice for Into The West. Her voice is harsh and out of place next to the rest of the performance. However, this might have been intentional on the part of the composer, and I will attempt to understand, while taking a star from a perfect score!
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