Category: Movie Return of the King
BonMothma writes:
I have enjoyed offering fans the chance to see what it’s like to experience “The Lord of the Rings Symphony” from the point of view of a singer in the Mendelssohn Choir (read PART I & PART II). I had planned to talk about this past week’s rehearsals and performances in this final chapter. Last night, however, Dr. Page, the director of the choir, made it clear to me that he does not like details of the rehearsals being made public.
Honestly, it never occurred to me that this might be the case. I liken it to watching all the behind-the-scenes stuff on the extended DVD’s. It gives me a greater appreciation for the finished product when I see the hard work and care that went into it. Obviously, not everyone feels this way, and I will abide by Dr. Page’s wishes.
However, I do not wish to leave this story unfinished, so I’ll skip the rehearsals and talk about what it was like to experience these performances from the stage.
First of all, a bit more about the piece itself. Listeners will hear music other that what’s listed in the program.
The first movement lists “The Prophecy – Concerning Hobbits – The Shadow of the Past – A Short Cut to Mushrooms – The Old Forest – A Knife in the Dark.” It concludes with the music from “The Treason of Isengard” – the wizard fight.
The second movement lists “Many Meetings – The Ring Goes South [this includes some music from FOTR EE when Arwen and Aragorn look at each other as the Fellowship is leaving] – A Journey in the Dark – The Bridge of Khazad-dum – Lothlorien – Gandalf’s Lament – Farewell to Lorien [FOTR EE, Galadriel’s gifts] – The Great River [There is some music from Amon Hen in here next, including some from the score but not on the soundtrack album] – The Breaking of the Fellowship.”
The third movement lists “Foundations of Stone – The Taming of Smeagol – The Riders of Rohan – The Black Gate is Closed – Evenstar – The White Rider – Treebeard – The Forbidden Pool.” I didn’t notice anything additional in this movement.
The fourth movement lists “The Hornburg – Forth Eorlingas – Isengard Unleashed – Gollum’s Song.” Again, nothing additional to what was listed.
The fifth movement lists “Hope and Memory [Pretty much all of “Minas Tirith” is added here] – The White Tree – The Steward of Gondor – Cirith Ungol – Anduril.”
The sixth movement lists “The End of All Things [it actually begins with “The Fields of the Pelennor” – the whole thing, then plays part of “Hope Fails” before going into “The End of All Things.”] – The Return of the King – The Grey Havens – Into the West.”
The setup for these performances differs according to the venue, I’m sure, but for us, the choir was set up behind the orchestra. The screen was above our heads and just in front of the choir. Howard Shore was not extremely pleased with this set up, because the pictures are not supposed to be the focus, but it was the only way to do it at Heinz Hall. It was hard for me to not look up at the pictures when I had down time in the performance, but I glanced at them during the last rehearsal when I could.
Howard Shore’s conducting style was a pleasure to experience. He was very animated and expressive. For me, it really helped set the mood for whatever was happening musically. Offstage, he is quiet and reserved, but very gracious with his fans.
The sound of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra was balanced very differently for me because the percussion section was directly in front of us, and the French horns were in front of them. The strings sounded very far away sometimes (they were), but it gave me an opportunity to hear things in a totally new way. The percussion section was a sight to behold. There were some interesting things used to get the right sounds for the Isengard and Treebeard music. My favorite percussion moments were the drums at the beginning of “The Fields of the Pelennor,” and an occasional deep bass drum, that softly punctuated some of the quieter moments.
One of my favorite instrumental moments was “The Forbidden Pool.” I loved the combination of instruments that creates the sound of water in that sequence. I also loved the music for the lighting of the beacons. The horns all sounded so majestic.
It’s hard to pick one section that I liked singing best. Actually, one of my favorites was a part I did not sing – the Moria part when the Fellowship see the city of Dwarrowdelf. I loved hearing the men’s voices swell at that climax. We moved from Khazad Dum to Lothlorien, which was a big change. I loved singing that part – very ethereal. I think my other favorites were pretty much everything in the fifth and sixth movements, especially “The Steward of Gondor” – a very haunting sound.
I got to talk a bit with Sissel after Wednesday’s rehearsal. She is a very gracious and beautiful lady. I enjoyed listening to her renditions of “Gollum’s Song” and “Into the West,” but where she really shined was on the high parts. “Evenstar” was beautiful, but my favorite was in “The Return of the King,” where Arwen and Aragorn are reunited. Everything gets quiet, and all you hear is her voice. It was stunning.
Howard Shore, if you’re reading this, thank you for your beautiful work on these movies and for putting together such a brilliant symphony. I’m looking forward to the release of the boxed set. I apologize for anything I’ve said in these posts that may have revealed more than you would have wished. I’m just an enthusiastic fan who is very grateful to have experienced this, and wished to share it with those who can’t.
I am also grateful to Dr. Page for allowing me to sing with the Mendelssohn Choir. And I wish to thank Fred-O, whose letter to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra prompted them to book these concerts. The final performance for this was on my birthday. To sing my favorite music on my birthday is the best present I could receive. I had to keep my composure and focus for these performances, but once I had finished last night, I began to cry. It was so wonderful and beautiful to participate in this, and I am sorry that it’s over. I will never forget it.
Ringer Baggins of the Shire sends in this tidbit: I work for Odeon cinema chain in the UK, we received a letter on Tuesday 6th July explaining that during October the 3 extended editions of the Lord Of The Rings films will be shown on Sunday’s. This means ROTK EE will be shown before it is available to buy on DVD!
Editor’s Note: I cannot confirm the accuracy of this report!
Nothing clear yet on the release date, let alone the disc specs for the third installment of The Lord of the Rings, however since both previous films had Extended Editions released on DVD it is fair to assume this will happen again, especially after it is rumoured Peter Jackson said the following at the Copenhagen premiere. Basically he commented that the first cut of Return of the King had a running time of four hours and fifty minutes. When asked why this was too long for theatres but acceptable for DVD, he said:
“It is different with the DVD version. People watch it at home. They can lay on the couch or spread the experience over two or three nights. That is the amazing thing with DVD. It gives a whole new dynamic and I can assure you that the DVD version of Return of the King will be longer than 4 hours and 50 min.”
Unless any of our Danish readers have can confirm this then it is still rumour, however if true, this really is interesting news.
My note: Also note that Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf) appeared on Jonathan Ross Friday night, and he said that the Extended Edition would be over five hours long.
Andy
[Source: DVDAnswers.com]
Scott sends along this paraphrased look at what was said during the 10 minute RETURN OF THE KING preview on the TTT DVD! Take a look!
Opens with Peter Jackson in cutting room, there was a picture on the door with him with a chainsaw…he talks about the editing process as he sits on the couch in his usual shorts…after his introduction, he promises the Shelob scene will be worth the wait from the Two Towers…
Gandalf with Aragorn & others on horseback: “The battle for Helms Deep is over, the battle for middle earth is about to begin”
Jackson says that lines sums up the Return of the King, helms deep was just “an opening skirmish”, and now the future will be decided, will Sauron and the orcs prevail? Is mankind going to prevail?
Gandalf talking to Aragorn: “Understand that things are now in motion that cannot be undone, if the ring is destroyed, Sauron will fall. But if Sauron regains the ring, his victory will be so complete that none can foresee the end of it while this world lasts”
Aragorn (before he looks into the Palantir): “He has gone unchallenged long enough”
PJ talks again about how the title of refers to the situation with Aragorn becoming king.
Viggo talks about his character coming to terms his “destiny”
Phiippa Boyens talks about the responsibility of being the king?
PJ talks about how Aragorn, Gimil & Legolas go into a “haunted mountain called the Dwimorberg” and face a horrific test.
PJ explains the Stewards and how they are caretakers for the throne.
Denethor: “Word has reached my ears of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn and I tell you now, I will not bow to this Ranger from the North.”
PJ talks about Mordor threatening Denethor & Gondor, mention Sauron thinks Pippin has the ring.
Merry to clueless looking Pippin: “Don’t you understand? The enemy thinks you have the Ring. He’s coming for you”
Billy Boyd talks Gandalf taking Pippin to be safe in Minas Tirith.
PJ talks about the Minas Tirith set being built in the same quarry as Helms Deep only weeks later, then the giant miniature of the city is shown.
More talk about Minas Tirith battle, Alan Lee comments the battle at Pelennor Fields are probably 200,000 strong compared to the 10,000 at Helms Deep,(cool drawings of Minas Tirith during battle).
PJ talks about the battle and how they used computer to map out the battle with all the orcs and others.
Christian Rivers talks about the formation of the orcs, groups of 1000
groups of 200 etc. and how they’ll attack from around the city. PJ talks about how they are basically planning a real battle strategy.
Alan Lee thinks it will be the most spectacular battle ever filmed.
Dominic Monaghan talks about how you don’t see war through a hobbits eyes much but Merry becomes a warrior and he finds himself in the army.
PJ talks about the summoning of the Riders of Rohan to Gondors aid and how Merry is there with Eowyn, Eomer and Theoden.
Benard Hill talks about the Rohan and the horsemen they provide more horse stuff about how people came from all over to help.
PJ talks about motion capture of horses.. So they could do things with them that real horses couldn’t.
PJ & others talk about how the battle is a distraction for Frodo to destroy the ring.
Sean Astin hints about what happens to poor Mr. Frodo
Elijah explains how we see the complete deterioration of Frodo
Sean talks about the battle of good and evil, “at what cost will good win? Who will have to suffer? What will be lost? What kind of pain will have to be endured by the characters that people have grown to enjoy?”
Viggo: “There are some victories but there are great losses as well. Everyone will have suffered. Some will not have survived.”
Elijah says its better then 1 & 2 combined, it’s better than he could have hoped it to be.
PJ: “Everybody that we know, in some form or another, comes out of it different. I mean, it is an immensely affecting experience for them, and I hope for the audience as well.
Fade to 2 minute trailer some have seen……..
andrea writes: Marco Giovanni is the journalist who stayed in NZ during the re-shooting. No new photos, maybe in August issue, but some minor SPOILERS:
–Peter Jackson moved from a set to another, as usual, with his Red Bicycle ‘Challenge’ model, recognizable by the skull on the handle. It’s a Shelob-lair souvenir, where there are also some dangling, mummyfied corpses, which are imprisoned in synthetic webs made by an elasticized fiber of boiled-vegetable-oil (220°C!!!).
-Shelob will be a 5 meter-high monster, really fast, who stops in a second to fix her eyes on her prey.
-The plot will have weddings, coronations, ambushes, suicides, betrayal, but also the biggest battle of the history of cinema: 200,000 orcs in Pelennor field!”
Demosthenes here. You might recall that some time ago, Peter Jackson spoke to the LoTR Fan Magazine about the inspiration for Shelob. In part, he said:
I’ve got a real fear of spiders; I guess I have arachnophobia. Ever since I was a kid, spiders have freaked me out. There is a spider in New Zealand called a Tunnel Web spider, which is a common New Zealand spider but a very nasty, fat, pudgy one that lives in gardens.
Ever since I was a kid, I have been terrified of coming across these things. You find them under old bricks and old logs and leaves and such. It is a very evil-looking spider; it’s small—about an inch and a half long. About three weeks ago, we had a Shelob design meeting, and I looked at the designs and said, “You know, we have to make this look more like the Tunnel Web. She has to be more like this horrible spider.” Most of the CG guys that I was talking to were from the U.S., so they didn’t have a clue what a Tunnel Web was. So I turned to one of the Kiwi designers, Christian Rivers, and said, “Can we find pictures of one?”
The next morning, Christian poked around in his garden and managed to catch one in a glass jar! So right now, we have a live Tunnel Web at Weta being the model for Shelob. As far as I’m concerned, a photograph would’ve been just fine!
Xoanon promptly went and dug up the image below from the Te Papa museum website to terrify us all.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to disover any video of a Tunnelweb lurking on the internet. But here’s a couple more pictures of this vicious-looking beastie for you to enjoy.
