The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Howard Shore
Album: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Year of Release: 2003
Record Label: Reprise Records
Duration: Approximately 72 minutes
Chart Performance: The soundtrack garnered widespread acclaim and achieved notable positions on various charts worldwide.
Tracklisting:
Featured Artists: The soundtrack for The Return of the King was composed by Howard Shore and performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Voices choir, and various soloists. Annie Lennox contributed to the soundtrack.
Additional Information:
Annie Lennox's collaboration on "Into the West" provided a fitting and poignant conclusion to the musical journey of The Return of the King, complementing Howard Shore's remarkable composition and delivering an unforgettable auditory experience.
Year of Release: 2003
Record Label: Reprise Records
Duration: Approximately 72 minutes
Chart Performance: The soundtrack garnered widespread acclaim and achieved notable positions on various charts worldwide.
Tracklisting:
- A Storm is Coming
- Home and Memory
- Minas Tirith Featuring Benn del Maestro
- The White Tree
- The Steward of Gondor Featuring Billy Boyd
- Minas Morgul
- The Ride of the Rohirrim
- Twilight and Shadow
- Cirith Ungol
- Andúril
- Shelob's Lair
- Ash and Smoke
- The Fields of the Pelennor
- Hope Fails
- The Black Gate Opens Featuring Sir James Galway
- The End of All Things Featuring Renee Fleming
- The Return of the King Featuring Sir James Galway, Viggo Mortensen and Renee Fleming
- The Grey Havens Featuring Sir James Galway
- Into the West Performed by Annie Lennox
Featured Artists: The soundtrack for The Return of the King was composed by Howard Shore and performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Voices choir, and various soloists. Annie Lennox contributed to the soundtrack.
Additional Information:
- The culmination of Howard Shore's musical journey through Middle-earth, the soundtrack for The Return of the King continued the tradition of masterful composition and emotional depth.
- Leitmotifs remained central to the score, with recurring themes associated with characters, places, and themes. These motifs lent cohesion to the expansive musical narrative.
- Annie Lennox's powerful vocals were featured on "Into the West," a poignant and emotional track that closes the film trilogy. Her contribution added a profound sense of closure to the story.
- The soundtrack expertly captured the final stages of the characters' journeys, from the intense battles to the bittersweet moments of triumph and farewell.
- Critically acclaimed, the album was praised for its ability to transport listeners into the heart of the film's emotional landscape, enhancing the impact of the story.
- Commercially, the soundtrack achieved significant success on various music charts, solidifying its place as an integral part of the Lord of the Rings film series.
- Collector's editions of the soundtrack included trading cards featuring characters and scenes from the film, enhancing the collectible nature of the release.
Annie Lennox's collaboration on "Into the West" provided a fitting and poignant conclusion to the musical journey of The Return of the King, complementing Howard Shore's remarkable composition and delivering an unforgettable auditory experience.