Though I am a keen listener I am no musician so while I have been writing it I haven't suggested many accompaniments to the action. (I have tried to take more care with sound effects which I think are essential for both mood and verisimilitude) Like Di however I hear many pieces of music that seem to illuminate or enhance particular passages in the story.
I will share some ideas but this is open to everyone. I am looking forward to hearing from those who are more musically literate than me.
OK, while writing it I have already suggested the most intense parts of Vaughan Williams' Tallis Fantasia for Cerin Amroth. I have had the Elves at Rivendell and Woody End singing Renaissance polyphonic motets and I put the Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem to the final collapse of Frodo and Sam outside Orodruin. I have another piece of music lined up but as I haven't posted the continuation of the story yet I will hold off mentioning that for a few days.
What about other passages? Whenever I imagine the appearance of the Balrog I think of Verdi's Dies Irae from his Requiem. The drum thuds and sense of absolute terror are spot on.
Some instrumental adaptation of Schubert's Erl-King for the Flight to the Ford?
I think of Vaughan Williams' Sinfonia Antarctica, the Symphony No 7, for Frodo and Sam's trek through the wastes of Mordor.
The first movement of Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony makes me think of the build-up to the Siege of Gondor.
Pippin's approach to the gates of Minas Tirith makes me think of Mussorgsky's Great Gate of Kiev from Pictures at an Exhibition.
One might have thought Mussorgsky's Night on a Bare Mountain would work for Weathertop but it is far too jolly a piece to suit the mood of that passage.
So I throw the challenge open! What music do you think of?
