Although famed composers ranging from Sergei Prokofiev to Aaron Copland have written music for movies, the classical music world has tended to look down their noses at it. But that attitude is changing. The San Francisco Symphony and Brooklyn Philharmonic are now regularly programing such music, and, in September 2004, cellist Yo-Yo Ma released an album devoted to the film works of Ennio Morricone. Then there’s “The Lord of the Rings Symphony.” In an effort to get his music performed not only on the screen but in concert halls as well, movie composer Howard Shore fashioned his scores for the blockbuster trilogy into a popular six-movement symphony. [More]
Month: May 2006
From The Observer: A Webley Mark VI revolver carried at the Battle of the Somme by JRR Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings, is to go on display next month. The weapon was acquired two years ago by London’s Imperial War Museum from the Tolkien estate and will be shown at the museum and in an online exhibition marking the 90th anniversary of the battle. Tolkien served in the trenches as a signaller from July to October 1916. Nigel Steel, head of research at the museum, said his experience would have ‘darkened his mythological world and given him an insight into personal combat’. The exhibition will be at iwm.org.uk
Newswise — “Lord of the Rings” star Viggo Mortensen told the graduates of St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, that “activism is not a dirty word” and urged them to be active citizens, particularly to make changes in the country’s health-care system. Mortensen, star of “A History of Violence,” graduated from St. Lawrence in 1980 and spoke to the University’s 567 graduates at Commencement on Sunday, May 21, in Appleton Arena on campus. He also received an honorary doctor of arts degree at the ceremony, held indoors for the first time in 21 years. “Much has changed in this country and the world since 1980,” he said, “but the value of active citizenship is greater than ever. Making an earnest attempt to connect with people and issues outside of one’s own limited personal circle will always be worthwhile. My liberal arts education at St. Lawrence taught me as much, and for that I am grateful.” [More]
The folks from Billy’s Loons Charities write: Billy’s Loons Charities is excited to announce our latest auction to benefit The Scottish Youth Theatre, www.scottishyouththeatre.org, where Billy Boyd is a Patron, and Billy’s Loons Charities is a sponsor. This auction is an unique set consisting of a large Lord of the Rings poster of Pippin and Merry, signed by Billy Boyd, and an extremely hard to find package of Fangorn Forest Incense, signed by Billy Boyd and Treebeard himself, John Rhys-Davies! Note the message Billy wrote on the incense: “This smells better than Dom”. [More]
Many thanks to Billy Boyd and John Rhys-Davies for their autographs, to Alesia and Elisa for the poster and incense and to Auntie Nu for the photographs.
Andrew writes to let us know about “One Morning Long Ago” Art Exhibition at The Redesdale Hall, in Moreton in Marsh Gloucestershire from Saturday 20th May until Tuesday 23rd May.
This features the briliant work of Ted Nasmith and contrasting Styles of Ruth Lacon and both the artists are attending throughout.
This is the largest display of Ted’s work and there are visitors booked worldwide with 3-4000 expected over the 4 days. A full programme of events has been arranged including live Tolkien inspired song cycles, readings, educational talks, Tolkien Tour Guide (covering Barrow Downs, Three Farthing Stone, Amon Hen, Bag End, Malvern Hills, St Mary’s Immaculate at Warwick, Eagle & Child and other Oxford sites). [More]
The LOTR summer concert series starts off with a weekend event in Denver, Colorado. Markus Huber and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra will be at Boettcher Hall tonight (Friday may 19th), Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are still available! Take a look [TICKETS]
Click here for more info on the LOTR Summer Concert Series 2006. [More]