The Tolkien Coming of Age Club 2 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Ibrîniðilpathânezel · 02-04-2008, 09:18 AM

Actually, the "instruments" are all wav samples of actual instruments, and I am not terribly pleased with some, because whoever did the recording had a different notion of what constituted a good basic sound. With certain very expensive programs, studio equipment, and a lot of patience, I could potentially make them sound better, but I'm primarily a composer, not a studio tech. Spending weeks tweaking the sound of one or two particular instruments for a piece when I have ideas wanting to be expressed and put down isn't currently worth that kind of effort. What I need to do is hook up with someone who does enjoy that kind of work, has the equipment, and collaborate. Perhaps someday. (And perhaps someday, I'll find a willing orchestra, too.

) But I do have to say, imperfect though what I have available may sound when compared to a live orchestra, it's immensely better than what I had available when I first started writing these pieces. I just recently started working with yet a new set of instrument samples, which is much more extensive and varied than anything I've had before, but so far, I haven't had a chance to rescore any of my symphonic works using them. So much to do, so much time required, and so little time. *sigh*

And you're right about taste, Nogrod. As a musician, I have certainly been exposed to just about every kind of music there is, and naturally not all have been my cup of tea, but when I sit down to compose, I must be true to my own artistic vision, however much or little others might like it. Art is an expression of self, and this is a part of what I am. My own tastes tend to run toward the Impressionist and Romantic periods, and I'm sure that's reflected in my music. I'm not afraid of dissonance; I have written some quite dissonant pieces in the past, but since I write what I hear in my head, dissonance just wasn't what I heard, here, nor what felt was right for what I was attempting to achieve. I have a feeling that if I was ever to sit down and compose something about the Children of Hurin, I would find a lot of dissonance creeping in...

But in the end, as in all things, to each their own, and to thine own self be true.

Snowdog · 02-27-2008, 08:08 PM

Good Day everyone!

Its been ages since I've been by here. Good to see some old names as well as some new ones!

News here is life has changed drasticly over the last few years. Shortly after the time I helped start the 'Lingering Darkness' RP, I had to basicly retire from it due to a deteriorating domestic situation. Since then, the kids are grown, with my youngest graduating from high school this June, and I've seperated, tried reconciling, then gotten divorced. Now I'm together with an old friend who used to post here as Elora. This year I've moved from the Pacific Northwest to Brisbane, Australia and am currently jumping through immigration hoops. Everything is looking good, and life is good! I have a lot of back-reading to do I guess , but maybe everyone could post a summary of how they're doing?

Cheers Barrow Folk!

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-28-2008, 03:32 AM

Hi there, Snowdog! Good to hear from you again. I do hope you'll be able to adjust well to your new situation - never too late to teach an old (Snow)dog new tricks, eh?!

Please do say "hi" to Elora.

I'm still around and active; we're doing a re-run of the Chapter-by-Chapter LotR discussions, so you might enjoy joining us there. There's also a discussion of the BBC dramatization going on, with Brian Sibley visiting to tell us about his experiences producing it.

In real life Tolkien community goings-on, I'm preparing a lecture on the musical instruments of Middle-earth for the German Tolkien Society's seminar in April - a fascinating topic, though there is very little research material on it.

As to private interests, well, I'm practicing piano for a concert in November and have begun sewing a new quilt wall hanging. No need for me to "get a life" - I think I have several of them, but unfortunately I didn't get multiple allocations of the 24 hours each of them needs...

mark12_30 · 12-23-2008, 08:46 AM

So Esty, how did the piano concert go?

Any other greybeards out there?

I'm pondering doing the forest-themed interior decorating I always wanted to do. If I can't actually have a flet I want to pretend I'm in (or on) one by all the leaves and branches surrounding me.

Snowdog, I and my ranger-husband and our two hobbits are doing quite well. My sister Raefindel is around, and planning to come east (WOOT WOOT!!!) and she and I will spend some girl-time. Er, elf-lady time. I do think of myself as a hobbit, but with such fallohidish blood I fool myself sometimes into thinking I'm a short elf. If that sounds a bit confused, my husband would agree with you...

--mark12_30 (Helen)

Estelyn Telcontar · 12-23-2008, 11:39 AM

Dear me, what a nap we have had in here!

So much has happened in the meantime.

My concert went well, Helen - thanks for asking! The lecture on music in Middle-earth has turned into a book project which I will be co-editing in the coming year. And I will be moving my rocking chair and all other belongings to a new location, so it will be awhile before I have time to sit down and relax again - though I plan to do so during the holidays, at least occasionally.

How are all of you spending the holidays? Gathering your family 'round the hearth?

Raefindel · 12-23-2008, 04:04 PM

Hello, my friends!

We had planned for family at my home for the Holiday but I'm afraid the weather may play a hand in previnting it.

It is as bad here as the Fell Winter of 2911! Indeed, I fear that since the creek has frozen, White Wolves may come across! I have my bow handy, just in case!

Samwise · 12-23-2008, 04:06 PM

Hullo, Miss Rae and all ! Hope you all are well !

mark12_30 · 04-19-2009, 06:27 PM

"Frodo's Sacrifice"

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=5907

***Mithadan*** · 04-19-2009, 07:30 PM

The Bridge at Khazad-Dum was always one of my favorites.

http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=1690

***Mister Underhill*** · 04-20-2009, 04:18 AM

Blast from the past with that Bridge thread, Mith -- that was a fun one!

Besides the ones mentioned, I'll add:

This post by Marileangorifurnimalium in Find your best location in Middle-earth. Most of the rest of the thread is talk about one of BW's site gadgets, but this post by Maril is a side-splitter. How I miss her! She was a treasure and no mistake.

Burglary, Pockets, and the Hobbit is a short but fun sample of that old time dry Downs humor.

And how could I neglect Squatter's legendary Curious evening in Oxford? I can't! It's remarkable not only for the Squatter's nocturnal adventure in the boneyard, but also for the birth of Travest-o-technology®.

mark12_30 · 04-28-2009, 08:34 PM

"LOTR and your Weltanschaung."

Snowdog · 03-04-2010, 04:40 PM

Its been 2 years since I last posted here, and nearly a year since anybody posted here. Thought I'd raise the dead by saying 'g'Day!

02-04-2008, 09:18 AM	#1
Ibrîniðilpathânezel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the Helcaraxe Posts: 733	Actually, the "instruments" are all wav samples of actual instruments, and I am not terribly pleased with some, because whoever did the recording had a different notion of what constituted a good basic sound. With certain very expensive programs, studio equipment, and a lot of patience, I could potentially make them sound better, but I'm primarily a composer, not a studio tech. Spending weeks tweaking the sound of one or two particular instruments for a piece when I have ideas wanting to be expressed and put down isn't currently worth that kind of effort. What I need to do is hook up with someone who does enjoy that kind of work, has the equipment, and collaborate. Perhaps someday. (And perhaps someday, I'll find a willing orchestra, too. ) But I do have to say, imperfect though what I have available may sound when compared to a live orchestra, it's immensely better than what I had available when I first started writing these pieces. I just recently started working with yet a new set of instrument samples, which is much more extensive and varied than anything I've had before, but so far, I haven't had a chance to rescore any of my symphonic works using them. So much to do, so much time required, and so little time. sigh And you're right about taste, Nogrod. As a musician, I have certainly been exposed to just about every kind of music there is, and naturally not all have been my cup of tea, but when I sit down to compose, I must be true to my own artistic vision, however much or little others might like it. Art is an expression of self, and this is a part of what I am. My own tastes tend to run toward the Impressionist and Romantic periods, and I'm sure that's reflected in my music. I'm not afraid of dissonance; I have written some quite dissonant pieces in the past, but since I write what I hear in my head, dissonance just wasn't what I heard, here, nor what felt was right for what I was attempting to achieve. I have a feeling that if I was ever to sit down and compose something about the Children of Hurin, I would find a lot of dissonance creeping in... But in the end, as in all things, to each their own, and to thine own self be true. __________________ Call me Ibrin (or Ibri) :) Originality is the one thing that unoriginal minds cannot feel the use of. — John Stewart Mill

02-28-2008, 03:32 AM	#3
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Hi there, Snowdog! Good to hear from you again. I do hope you'll be able to adjust well to your new situation - never too late to teach an old (Snow)dog new tricks, eh?! Please do say "hi" to Elora. I'm still around and active; we're doing a re-run of the Chapter-by-Chapter LotR discussions, so you might enjoy joining us there. There's also a discussion of the BBC dramatization going on, with Brian Sibley visiting to tell us about his experiences producing it. In real life Tolkien community goings-on, I'm preparing a lecture on the musical instruments of Middle-earth for the German Tolkien Society's seminar in April - a fascinating topic, though there is very little research material on it. As to private interests, well, I'm practicing piano for a concert in November and have begun sewing a new quilt wall hanging. No need for me to "get a life" - I think I have several of them, but unfortunately I didn't get multiple allocations of the 24 hours each of them needs... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

12-23-2008, 08:46 AM	#4
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	So Esty, how did the piano concert go? Any other greybeards out there? I'm pondering doing the forest-themed interior decorating I always wanted to do. If I can't actually have a flet I want to pretend I'm in (or on) one by all the leaves and branches surrounding me. Snowdog, I and my ranger-husband and our two hobbits are doing quite well. My sister Raefindel is around, and planning to come east (WOOT WOOT!!!) and she and I will spend some girl-time. Er, elf-lady time. I do think of myself as a hobbit, but with such fallohidish blood I fool myself sometimes into thinking I'm a short elf. If that sounds a bit confused, my husband would agree with you... --mark12_30 (Helen) __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

12-23-2008, 11:39 AM	#5
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Dear me, what a nap we have had in here! So much has happened in the meantime. My concert went well, Helen - thanks for asking! The lecture on music in Middle-earth has turned into a book project which I will be co-editing in the coming year. And I will be moving my rocking chair and all other belongings to a new location, so it will be awhile before I have time to sit down and relax again - though I plan to do so during the holidays, at least occasionally. How are all of you spending the holidays? Gathering your family 'round the hearth? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

12-23-2008, 04:04 PM	#6
Raefindel Sword of the Spirit Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,313	Hello, my friends! We had planned for family at my home for the Holiday but I'm afraid the weather may play a hand in previnting it. It is as bad here as the Fell Winter of 2911! Indeed, I fear that since the creek has frozen, White Wolves may come across! I have my bow handy, just in case! __________________ Blessed be the Lord my Strength, Who trained my hands for war and my fingers to fight. Psallm 144:1

02-27-2008, 08:08 PM	#2
Snowdog Emperor of the South Pole Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The Western Shore of Lake Evendim Posts: 647	Good Day everyone! Its been ages since I've been by here. Good to see some old names as well as some new ones! News here is life has changed drasticly over the last few years. Shortly after the time I helped start the 'Lingering Darkness' RP, I had to basicly retire from it due to a deteriorating domestic situation. Since then, the kids are grown, with my youngest graduating from high school this June, and I've seperated, tried reconciling, then gotten divorced. Now I'm together with an old friend who used to post here as Elora. This year I've moved from the Pacific Northwest to Brisbane, Australia and am currently jumping through immigration hoops. Everything is looking good, and life is good! I have a lot of back-reading to do I guess , but maybe everyone could post a summary of how they're doing? Cheers Barrow Folk!

12-23-2008, 04:06 PM	#7
Samwise Faithful Spirit Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: #3 Bagshot Row, Petaluma, Ca Posts: 2,299	Hullo ! Hullo, Miss Rae and all ! Hope you all are well ! __________________ Giving thanks unto the Father...In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.~Colossians1:12a,14 * * * * * * * I am Samwise son of Hamfast, if by hoe or trowel I can get these weeds out of your garden, I will.You have my shears!;)

04-19-2009, 06:27 PM	#8
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	"Frodo's Sacrifice" http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=5907 __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

04-19-2009, 07:30 PM	#9
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,393	The Bridge at Khazad-Dum was always one of my favorites. http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=1690 __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

04-20-2009, 04:18 AM	#10
*Mister Underhill* Dread Horseman Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Behind you! Posts: 2,744	Blast from the past with that Bridge thread, Mith -- that was a fun one! Besides the ones mentioned, I'll add: This post by Marileangorifurnimalium in Find your best location in Middle-earth. Most of the rest of the thread is talk about one of BW's site gadgets, but this post by Maril is a side-splitter. How I miss her! She was a treasure and no mistake. Burglary, Pockets, and the Hobbit is a short but fun sample of that old time dry Downs humor. And how could I neglect Squatter's legendary Curious evening in Oxford? I can't! It's remarkable not only for the Squatter's nocturnal adventure in the boneyard, but also for the birth of Travest-o-technology®.

04-28-2009, 08:34 PM	#11
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	"LOTR and your Weltanschaung." __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

03-04-2010, 04:40 PM	#12
Snowdog Emperor of the South Pole Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The Western Shore of Lake Evendim Posts: 647	Its been 2 years since I last posted here, and nearly a year since anybody posted here. Thought I'd raise the dead by saying 'g'Day!

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