The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The most Tolkien-Oriented music you make

mark12_30 · 01-24-2004, 01:27 PM

tifo, Arwen, Nuru, Peony, AND Dragoneyes, (And Imladris if you're checking) I had fun with the Pennywhistle (tinwhistle) last night, and got thru May It Be, Concerning Hobbits (what I remembered, I played the choir-boy version) and Into the West. I couldn't remember enough of the Rohan theme to keep it going more than a line or two. I'd better learn how to hum it, and then try again...

Dragoneyes, to do some of those you do need the second octave on the Recorder. It's shrill; but it's there. Easier on a Pennywhistle! But if you love the Recorder it's worth learning. Peony, can you help with that? Do you have fingerings for the second octave of the Recorder? (I need 'em too)

Orominuialwen -- Bare Necessities is a WONDERFUL band. They played at the Concord contradance (at least once that I remember-- eh, that was 1986 or so) and Peter (the Piano player) absolutely hynotized me with his Pennywhistle playing... (tune is running thru my head now...) he looked like an elf, but he definitely played like a hobbit. Yes. Great band.

Violin and mandolin-- nice! I fiddled too, back in the '80s. Scottish. I was convinced that Scotland was the closest thing to Middle-Earth. (I think the Highland Fling and the Foursome Reel would be instinctive for any hobbit, don't you?)

Peony, you said that the piano is not very Middle-Earthish. While I'd agree with that, I think it is VERY Tolkienish. It is the ultimate Edwardian Drawing Room instrument. Just look at Tolkien's delight in Donald Swann's work-- he LOVED it. To some of us it sounds inappropriate to M-E but I think we forget that was the style Tolkien grew up with. My grandparents played music like that! All the time!

So, in one sense, it may not be particularly elvish, the piano; and yet in another, I think the denizens of Middle-Earth would have taken to it like a duck takes to water. I certainly wouldn't be shy about playing ME music on the piano. One of my favorite peices by Tolkien Ensemble is their version of Luthien, "The Leaves were Long, the Grass was green." Drawing Room piano. Magnificent. Even thought its accompanied by piano, it still sounds to me like it's from Rivendell with Aragorn singing...

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 2:37 PM January 24, 2004: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

01-24-2004, 01:27 PM	#46
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	tifo, Arwen, Nuru, Peony, AND Dragoneyes, (And Imladris if you're checking) I had fun with the Pennywhistle (tinwhistle) last night, and got thru May It Be, Concerning Hobbits (what I remembered, I played the choir-boy version) and Into the West. I couldn't remember enough of the Rohan theme to keep it going more than a line or two. I'd better learn how to hum it, and then try again... Dragoneyes, to do some of those you do need the second octave on the Recorder. It's shrill; but it's there. Easier on a Pennywhistle! But if you love the Recorder it's worth learning. Peony, can you help with that? Do you have fingerings for the second octave of the Recorder? (I need 'em too) Orominuialwen -- Bare Necessities is a WONDERFUL band. They played at the Concord contradance (at least once that I remember-- eh, that was 1986 or so) and Peter (the Piano player) absolutely hynotized me with his Pennywhistle playing... (tune is running thru my head now...) he looked like an elf, but he definitely played like a hobbit. Yes. Great band. Violin and mandolin-- nice! I fiddled too, back in the '80s. Scottish. I was convinced that Scotland was the closest thing to Middle-Earth. (I think the Highland Fling and the Foursome Reel would be instinctive for any hobbit, don't you?) Peony, you said that the piano is not very Middle-Earthish. While I'd agree with that, I think it is VERY Tolkienish. It is the ultimate Edwardian Drawing Room instrument. Just look at Tolkien's delight in Donald Swann's work-- he LOVED it. To some of us it sounds inappropriate to M-E but I think we forget that was the style Tolkien grew up with. My grandparents played music like that! All the time! So, in one sense, it may not be particularly elvish, the piano; and yet in another, I think the denizens of Middle-Earth would have taken to it like a duck takes to water. I certainly wouldn't be shy about playing ME music on the piano. One of my favorite peices by Tolkien Ensemble is their version of Luthien, "The Leaves were Long, the Grass was green." Drawing Room piano. Magnificent. Even thought its accompanied by piano, it still sounds to me like it's from Rivendell with Aragorn singing... <font size=1 color=339966>[ 2:37 PM January 24, 2004: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.