Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers Soundtrack CD

The 2001 film version of the J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy classic LORD OF THE RINGS was something of a phenomenon, and the attendant soundtrack by Howard Shore matched it step for step. Wisely, Shore was tapped again for the soundtrack to the sequel THE TWO TOWERS. Unlike the work of, say, John Williams, Shore's score managed to tap into both the regal majesty of Tolkien's Middle-earth but offsets it with a healthy sense of understatement and tasteful atmospherics, avoiding over-the-top pageantry. Filling the musical role occupied by Enya on the last soundtrack are Sheila Chandra and Emiliana Torrini, while former Cocteau Twin Elizabeth Fraser appears on what must be the most obstreperous track ("Isengard Unleashed") with which she's ever been associated.

Original score composed by Howard Shore.

Includes liner notes by Paul Broucek, Peter Jackson.

LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack Album For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media.

Personnel: Sonia Slany (monochord); Dermot Crehan (fiddle).

Audio Mixer: Peter Cobbin.

Liner Note Authors: Paul Broucek; Pete Jackson.

Recording information: Air Lyndhurst; CTS Colosseum, Watford, Hertfordshire, England; EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England; Henry Wood Hall, London, England.

Director: Pete Jackson.

Photographers: Benjamin Ealovega; Oliver Upton.

Translator: David Salo.

Unknown Contributor Role: Jan Hendrickse.

Score By:Howard Shore

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Entertainment Weekly (1/10/03, pp.70-71) - "...A massive undertaking that weaves offbeat insstrumentation...massed choruses, and Enya-esque soloists into a sonically unrelenting whole....This is Hollywood, and gloriously so." - Rating: A
Entertainment Weekly (1/10/03, pp.70-71) - "...A massive undertaking that weaves offbeat insstrumentation...massed choruses, and Enya-esque soloists into a sonically unrelenting whole....This is Hollywood, and gloriously so." - Rating: A
Uncut (2/03, p.85) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...This score's by the really rather talented Howard Shore....This one is distinguished by its remarkable guest vocalists..."
Uncut (2/03, p.85) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...This score's by the really rather talented Howard Shore....This one is distinguished by its remarkable guest vocalists..."