Friendship, courage and struggle in Middle-earth
It is one of the most legendary soundtracks ever composed: The Lord of the Rings . Composer Howard Shore wrote an impressive 12 hours of music for this trilogy. And later another 8 hours for The Hobbit film trilogy. During this special theater concert, the impressive compositions from both film trilogies are brought together in a single, all-encompassing symphony. The internationally renowned National Choir of Ukraine 'Dumka' and the acclaimed International Symphony Orchestra (INSO) from Lviv, led by conductor Raymond Janssen, join forces once again. After their triumphs with Carmina Burana , Harry Potter , and Porgy and Bess, among others, they once again deliver an exciting and spectacular concert. The orchestra takes on the role of main storyteller throughout the symphony, while the choir brings the most meaningful moments to life.
Best film music of all time
With three Oscars, two Grammys, and two Golden Globes to his name, Howard Shore is the undisputed master behind the iconic soundtracks of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit . His music, repeatedly named "the best film score of all time" by Classic FM, brings the epic imagery and emotion of Tolkien's story to life in an unparalleled way.
Richard Wagner: 'founder of film music'
The story of the opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen by German opera composer Richard Wagner resembles that of The Lord of the Rings . Here, too, a ring is forged that grants its owner limitless power and is fiercely contested. The soundtrack of The Lord of the Rings is more extensive than you might realize from watching the films. It consists of over 100 themes, each with a specific function within the film. Like Tolkien, Howard Shore borrowed from Wagner. His film music is rich and complex, yet easily recognizable thanks to its clear themes. Wagner is known worldwide for this so-called leitmotiv approach. Without realizing it, Richard Wagner was one of the founders of film music.
Mythical and captivating
Howard Shore combined Elvish languages, folk music, and an ingenious system of leitmotifs to deeply weave Tolkien's stories into the music. For The Hobbit, Shore went even further: in addition to recurring themes from LOTR, he composed new, layered melodies, such as a unique theme for Gandalf and the iconic Misty Mountains motif. Shore's innovative approach, blending tradition and innovation, makes his work timeless and compelling.
