Today Turbine released a new song from the Riders of Rohan soundtrack by Chance Thomas. This piece is called “Shadow of the Argonath“. This time included with the music (which is absolutely wonderful in this Hobbit’s opinion) is comments on the score by the composer, Chance Thomas!
“This piece was written to underscore the players’ exploration in the East Wall region.
The music begins with a slow and slightly unfocused version of the Gondor theme played on French Horns and Uilleann Pipes, representing an erosion of Gondor’s vision and leadership among the men of the West. The theme wants to rise in nobility, power, might and strength. We can hear it reaching, stretching, striving, even striking a stout cadence for a moment. But it cannot sustain! Stewards alone can never muster the stateliness necessary to bear off the theme (nor the world of men) in full splendor. Uilleann Pipes echo off into the distance, suggesting the long gone majesty that once was the throne of Gondor.
And then, about 1:05 into the track, there is an injection of hope. We get a second rendition of Gondor’s theme that’s a little more focused, a little more pure, played on Penny Whistle and Uillean Pipes. The Penny Whistle represents Frodo and the race of Hobbits. Frodo brings hope for the world as he aligns himself with the nobler interests of men. The Pipes represent the glories of Gondor (specifically the past glories of Gondor’s kings), represented now by Aragorn in his support for Frodo and the quest. The two instruments interlace and support one another, symbolic of how the fates of the two men and their respective races are now unavoidably intertwined.
Close to 2:00 minutes in, there is a gently climactic rise toward hope… but then doubt as the Pipes and Penny Whistle both echo off into an unknown future. And lest we forget that there’s peril in the East Wall, we have the voice of the Bass Recorder, the low drum and slightly dissonant strings to bring us back to present dangers.
Nevertheless, the Horn and Whistle rise together one last time in unity and understanding, then ultimately continue apart as the Whistle (Frodo) quietly disappears and the Horn (Gondor) carries on toward Rohan with a determined resolution.”
June 29, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Overall this reminds me of the shire…. until 1:50. there i start to feel there is rohan music.
not really impressed with the song, too much peaceful in a place full of orcs.
June 29, 2012 at 9:27 pm
I never realized that composers purposely contemplate things like mood and setting – I guess I just assumed it was an ephemeral inspiration. I don’t know if it is my favorite, but perhaps it is the first of many new pieces to be released and they will “feel” (sound) more like I expect Rohan to seem.
June 29, 2012 at 11:55 pm
not bad
June 30, 2012 at 1:23 am
Aye, indeed has a Shire feel to it for the first minute or two till the more Rohan feel kicks in. Still, pretty impressive, like it!
June 30, 2012 at 2:18 am
Definitely not the hook in this piece that there is in many prior Thomas Lotro themes but head and shoulders above anything to be heard in RoI.
June 30, 2012 at 4:50 am
Just as I said on the previous article with a musical piece – it gets better and better – personally I care more of gameplay and less of graphics and music, but I must admit they did a great job here.
June 30, 2012 at 5:30 am
They will be releasing another track on Monday too. I listened to it earlier before they realised it wasn’t meant to be public yet. xD
It’s a great one though.
June 30, 2012 at 6:20 am
I’ve listened to this track a couple of times now and I am really impressed with it! Great piece of music and I’m looking forward to the other Rohan tracks
.
June 30, 2012 at 7:38 am
Few thoughts.
Try playing this alongside the movie clip where they’re floating past the argonath, has the sense of majesty and wonder.
There are defenite hints of preexisting themes running through the music, which makes so much sense as it’s all the same game.
Hearing this and comparing to RoI’s music, damn its good to have some musical talent back in the driving seat.
June 30, 2012 at 10:27 am
Absolutely beautiful, and very well done. Can hardly wait for Rohan!
June 30, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Positively splendid! Over the last five years of adventuring in Middle-Earth, some of the greatest highlights were the musical pieces by Mr. Thomas. So glad to hear his work again! I can’t wait for more!
July 21, 2012 at 3:43 pm
This piece is beautiful, and I love the explanations for each part.
Well done Mr. Thomas.