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    Shore

    Guides

    Howard Shore: The Hobbit soundtrack - an album guide

    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has to be one of the most anticipated movie releases of the year - and Howard Shore has composed the soundtrack to match! Get the low-down with our fantastic track-by-track guide, full of great pictures and handy info.

    1. Lord of the rings

      1. My Dear Frodo

      Howard Shore's epic soundtrack kicks off with a reflective piece that harks back to the original Lord Of The Rings movies where Frodo is played by Elijah Wood, who makes a return appearance in The Hobbit, too.

    2. Lord Of Thr Rings

      2. Old Friends

      Sir Ian McKellen also reprises his role from the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, as Gandalf the Grey. Here, he and his old friend Bilbo Baggins are honoured in this theme.

    3. The Hobbit Poster Dwarves

      3. An Unexpected Party

      The Unexpected Party in question are this merry band of dwarves, whose journey forms the main thrust of The Hobbit.

    4. mark hadlow

      4. Axe Or Sword

      Decisions, decisions... Dwarf Dori, played by Mark Hadlow (pictured) will no doubt be going for an axe in The Hobbit.

    5. richard armitage

      5. Misty Mountains

      Richard Armitage makes a vocal contribution to this song from Howard Shore's soundtrack to The Hobbit, alongside a chorus of dwarves. "Far over the misty mountains, go to dungeons deep and caverns low..."

    6. Martin Freeman

      6. The Adventure Begins

      Not only is it the beginning of an adventure for the characters in The Hobbit, it's the beginning of a journey for lead actor Martin Freeman, who plays Bilbo Baggins.

    7. The Hobbit Film still

      7. The World Is Ahead

      Howard Shore's score takes an epic turn, in keeping with the huge challenges ahead of Bilbo Baggins.

    8. Howard Shore

      8. An Ancient Enemy

      Multi-award-winner Howard Shore's score is typically triumphant-sounding, but there are moments of menace and contemplation, too.

    9. sylvester mccoy

      9. Radagast the Brown

      One of Tolkien's minor characters in the book of The Hobbit, Radagast the Brown's role is expanded for the movie and brought to life by former Dr. Who actor Sylvester McCoy.

    10. the hobbit

      10. Roast Mutton

      With a name like 'Roast Mutton', we're not quite sure what to expect from this snippet from The Hobbit soundtrack... It sounds cheeky, tense and a little bit mischievous, so we'll have to wait and see the movie exactly what's going on.

    11. new zealand

      11. A Troll-Hoard

      The stunning scenery of New Zealand again takes centre stage in Peter Jackson's vision of Tolkien's Middle Earth, no doubt setting the scene for Shore's Troll-Hoard.

    12. Ian McKellen

      12. The Hill Of Sorcery

      Details about the exact goings-on and plot points of the film remain shrouded in secrecy before its December release, but we reckon this one must be something to do with Ian McKellen, AKA Gandalf the Grey. Shuffling percussion and tense strings form the backbone here.

    13. War Horse Royal Premiere

      13. Warg-Scouts

      Another cryptic title from Howard Shore's score... Given a Warg is a kind of wolf, it's unlikely to be something to do with Smaug the dragon, voiced by Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch. The galloping, descending brass seem to suggest it might not be a friendly encounter, whatever happens...

    14. new zealand

      14. The Hidden Valley

      The incredible landscape of New Zealand will play its part in The Hobbit as it did in the original Lord Of The Rings movies, and what better sound to accompany it than Howard Shore?

    15. Howard Shore

      15. Moon Runes

      The score of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has a completely expected magnificent score by Howard Shore, who was responsible for the soundtracks to the original Lord Of The Rings films.

    16. The Hobbit FilmStill

      16. The Defiler

      A snippet of darkness, with a huge and heavy brass presence at the beginning, this has to be one of the more violent excerpts from Shore's new soundtrack.

    17. ian mckellen as gandalf

      17. The White Council

      Ian McKellen reprises his role as the wizard Gandalf, and Shore marks the occasion with this dark, quiet theme that accompanies Gandalf consulting with The White Council.

    18. peter jackson

      18. Over Hill

      It seems that director Peter Jackson (pictured) is far from over the hill, much like Howard Shore's score. Here, another mysterious and atmospheric piece is brought to life by Shore's love of a good melody - we even get a little clarinet version of the Shire theme.

    19. thunder lightning

      19. A Thunder Battle

      With a title like that you know what to expect - crashing intensity from Shore yet again. This has to be one of his best scores to date...

    20. Prince Charles and Camilla visit New Zealand

      20. Under Hill

      The Hobbit production was visited by some very important guests while they were filming - it's only Charles and Camilla! Captions for this photo are warmly received, by the way... Under Hill is another stormy little number, with trilling and flaring trumpets aplenty.

    21. andy serkis

      21. Riddles in the Dark

      Andy Serkis reprises his role as Gollum in The Hobbit, again in a fully digital incarnation (so not like this photo of him). If any characters are going to be involved in Riddles in the Dark, we reckon it's Gollum...

    22. howard shore

      22. Brass Buttons

      Pulsating vocals skulk in the background for this atmospheric piece, with Howard Shore's typically dynamic orchestral work doing the rest. Brutal stuff.

    23. lord of the rings still

      23. Out Of The Frying Pan

      Cate Blanchett makes her return to Peter Jackson's movies, reprising her role as Galadriel.

    24. Christopher Lee

      24. A Good Omen

      Also among the returning cast members from the original Lord Of The Rings movies is horror veteran Christopher Lee, who was so effective as Saruman.

    25. neil finn

      25. Song Of The Lonely Mountain

      In one of the more surprising elements of the soundtrack, former Crowded House frontman Neil Finn makes a contribution to Song Of The Lonely Mountain, one of the cornerstones of the movie's music. Howard Shore is on hand to steer things, but this is definitely Finn's show.

    26. hobbit ost cover howard shore

      26. Dreaming Of Bag End

      When it comes down to it, The Hobbit is a story about being away from home. So what better way to finish the first instalment off than with a dream of Bilbo Baggins' home, Bag End? On the strength of this first Hobbit soundtrack, we can't wait for the next!

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