LOTR Complete recordings - should I bother getting them?

[Sgt. Sacrament]

Question: Should I get the complete multi-CD editions of the scores for each of the Lord of the Rings films? Here's why I ask: I don't have a super duper surround sound stereo and can't afford one. I only listen to music that I burn on my computer or on a small boombox. Would it be overkill to get the complete recordings, since I believe that they've been mastered to play in surround sound? These recordings ain't cheap (at Amazon, Fellowship is $47, TT i& ROTK are $65, so around $180 for all three (although you can download ROTK as .mp3s for only $23)), so I want to blow the bank for no reason.

Background: I've owned the one disc version of each of the scores as soon as they came out, and I've loved them and listened to them so much that I've almost burned myself out on them. I'd love to have the complete scores, since there's so much more music, but I don't want to waste my money. A friend mentioned the other day that there's a book soon be released on the music of these films, The Music of the Lord of the Rings: A Comprehensive Account of Howard Shore' Scores, which I'd love to get, and it reawakened my interest in this music.

So, please share any comments that you think would be helpful. FYI, I don't often log on to reply, so thanks in advance for any advice y'all give, I appreciate it.
http://amzn.com/0739071572

 

[Greylock Crescent]

If you love the music of Lord of the Rings, then: absolutely. The Complete Recordings are an investment, to be sure, but you won't ever find a better, more comprehensive release of film music. If you do love the LOTR scores, then I believe owning the CRs is essential.

Also, the book you refer to: The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films, by Doug Adams, is not only replete with excellent analysis and insight into the depth of Shore's work, it also features a Rarities Archive CD - 80 minutes of alternative tracks, mockups, and experimental cues. It, too, is a fantastic addition.

EDIT:
You can read my overview of the Complete Recordings HERE.

 

[Evil Twin]

Definitely get them. I find myself listening to them all the time. Not only do you get to hear all the music, but in the proper order. A lot of the tracks on the original soundtracks are merely cobbled together pieces from different parts of the movie.

Only thing that appears to be missing is the prologue track from the original FOTR soundtrack, which I believe was probably composed for what was originally intended to be a shorter prologue sequence. Would've been nice if it was somewhere on the Complete Recordings as a bonus.

 

[Lt. Trull]

ya first got to ask your self one question.... did you enjoy the music from the movie... if ya did... by all means get the cd's... otherwise.... why bother....

 

[Greylock Crescent]

Only thing that appears to be missing is the prologue track from the original FOTR soundtrack, which I believe was probably composed for what was originally intended to be a shorter prologue sequence. Would've been nice if it was somewhere on the Complete Recordings as a bonus.

Apparently track one of the FOTR OST, titled "The Prophecy," is in the CR, but only in fragmentary form:

This is heard on the FOTR Soundtrack CDs (regular and special edition). It is not in the FOTR movie, however, and only a very short portion is heard on the CR-FOTR. The name, "The Prophecy", is found in the liner notes of the FOTR-OST and on the sheet music from musicnotes.com.
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Source

 

[S. Gomez]

The Complete Recordings are definitely worth getting, even if you don't own a surround sound system. I don't have one either, but it hasn't kept me from being able to appreciate Howard Shore's amazing work. I believe I got them all as presents (certainly the last one at least; it's been awhile), but I wouldn't have hesitated to buy them for myself.

Also, The Music of The Lord of The Rings Films contain a version of the Annotated Score PDFs (found here) organized by the tracks of the CR sets. The book is already out; I have my copy and I love it.

 

[Greylock Crescent]

^ S. Gomez, if you have not already done so, I'd encourage you to visit Doug Adams' blog. He's very active in discussions with fans and readers and offers additional insight into the scores, as well as the upcoming work on The Hobbit. I actually had the opportunity to meet him (and Howard Shore, too) earlier this month and he's as affable online as he is in person.

 

[S. Gomez]

^Oh yeah, I've been visiting. Actually, I was reading his correspondence with fans before the blog ever went live. It's cool you got to meet him!

 

[Worf2DS9]

I love the CR of FOTR. I did get the one for ROTK off iTunes for $24, though I felt that one had too much music on it, much of it blending together after a while. It's been some time since I've given it a listen, so maybe it's time to pull it off the shelf again.

 

[Othello]

Save your cash and get a surround sound system and then buy em later when you have more cash.

 

[crookeddy]

Save your cash and get a surround sound system and then buy em later when you have more cash.

I was just thinking that. For $180 you can get a good enough system for a bedroom. And then you can actually enjoy the albums :-)

 

[Mark Boeder]

I have all three, and I only listen to the DVD-Audio surround sound versions. (I wish more film scores were available in this format.) The CDs have never left their boxes. But if you think you might be at all interested, you most likely won't be disappointed. And I second (or third) the suggestion that you get a surround sound system. These scores do a magnificent job of filling up the soundspace of your listening room.

- Mark

 

[The Nth Doctor]

If you love music and if you love Lord of the Rings, then you absolutely must try out the Complete Recordings. I just wish I had more time to listen to them. I haven't had the opportunity to experience the whole surround-sound...experience.