This track is just so beautiful and sad... I love it.
So we start out with strings on a pedal tone under very "round"-sounding brass; the two then merge to a melancholy variation on the Shire theme -- Frodo, while with quite a ways to go, is not the hobbit he was when he first left home. As Sam comes after Frodo, the strings drift along even as he does under the water.
At 1:44, Frodo pulls Sam out, and the theme becomes more hopeful -- especially as the original whistle that we heard in Track 2 returns, although it's much sadder. It shows us that while there will be suffering, at least Sam and Frodo will be together.
Cut to Boromir's boat and those who will be the Three Hunters. There is a snippet of the Shire theme again which then changes to the Fellowship theme. The theme is no longer full; several instruments seem to be missing, as their group is broken.
Percussion grows and then fades in the background as the Shire theme and eventually the whistle return. After this solo, the percussion returns muted under strings. Edward Ross' vocal solo follows, accompanied at times by a boys' choir. It brings in the phrase "there and back again," implying that while hardship will ensue, all is not lost. There is still hope. Strings and brass do a short conclusion of this solo, which leads nicely into the next track... but that's for next week.
Do share your thoughts.
