It's books like this that made me wish I had the natural talent for music, or had at least studied and practiced hard enough to develop talent. The motion picture score that Howard Shore composed for The Lord of the Rings trilogy is absolutely brilliant, and while nothing can match his magnificent orchestra, there is something unique and incredible about hearing the same music played on a simple piano -- coming from your very own fingers.The music on the pages can be described as intermediate level. Beginners will have trouble, but intermediates can slowly pick their way through, depending on their experience, and get better with practice.
The front cover is the same design as the DVD poster, and the original movie promotional art. Inside, 26 pages, including four front-and-back pages containing pictures from the movie.
The tracks you can play are:
- In Dreams, the end-credits song featured in the CD track "The Breaking of the Fellowship".
- The Prophecy, the never-used track that was, I believe, intended for the movie's prologue. The sheet music includes the Elvish lyrics, with the translation following at the end of the song.
- Aníron, the theme for Aragorn and Arwen, as sung by Enya. Again, the Elvish is provided in the music, and the translation at the end.
- Lament for Gandalf, featured in the Lothlorien track. It has the haunting sound that is used for the Elves at that part in the movie, but, as the title suggests, is almost a funeral dirge for Gandalf after the Elves learn of his death. Again, Elvish in the music, translation at the end.
- Many Meetings, the cerebral and heavenly theme for the Elven haven of Rivendell. Probably one of my favorite in the book, and one that, once you learn to play it through, will be something you'll want to play over and over.
- May It Be, the other end-credits song (actually, May It Be is the end credits song, and In Dreams is the *other* one) performed once again by Enya. The lyrics don't make a whole lot of sense, but it's still another quiet one to play. Since Enya only uses a smattering of Elvish in her song, the translation is provided within the music.
I think most fans will agree there were better selections that could have been made for the Fellowship of the Ring sheet music...the Hobbit theme, Moria, and the Bridge of Khazad-Dûm to name a few. But for the Lord of the Rings fans, lovers of gorgeous music, and people who are both, this book makes an excellent gift, or a just-for-you purchase!
