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2004-07-15I don't have as much trouble with the "Into the West" track not including the melody (I use a keyboard, so can record the accompaniment separately and play along) but it seems to be a symptom of a larger problem, which is that the music is at takes taken down a bit too literally and not adapted properly for the piano/keyboard. There are a few instances of notes which are held for much longer than a piano can normally sustain notes, and one amusing instance where the pianist is asked to crescendo and descrecendo on a held note (hey, if the vocalist can do it...). Overall the arrangements are excellent, but I docked a star for these lapses and the regrettable decision to waste pages on photographs from the movie instead of filling them with more music.
Awesome 
2004-06-22
It's books like this that made me wish I had the natural talent for music, or had at least studied and practiced hard enough to develop talent. The motion picture score that Howard Shore composed for The Lord of the Rings trilogy is absolutely brilliant, and while nothing can match his magnificent orchestra, there is something unique and incredible about hearing the same music played on a simple piano -- coming from your very own fingers. Or, with today's synthesizer technology, you can orchestrate your own versions!
The cover is the same as the Return of the King promotional photo. Inside, one can find fifty-four lovely pages' worth of selections from his score for Return of the King. Included in that tally are six pages of rich photos from the movie. Thankfully, it's just the heroes this time, there are no frightening pictures of orcs which, as in the case of the first and second books, caused the need to keep an eye on little youngsters who might be a little frightened by the ugly and gruesome orcs. Shoot, they still frighten me! ;-)
The songs include:
- Minas Tirith, the theme for Gandalf's ride to the City of Kings, and Pippin Took's first glimpse of the grandeur of the stronghold. Lyrics are included for the Elvish verses sung in the background, including the Retreat from Osgiliath, and The White Rider. This is one of the best songs, if you ask me, because it includes the gorgeous theme for Gondor.
- The Steward of Gondor, which includes the White Tree "theme" (not a really defined royal theme, unfortunately), and Billy Boyd's solo he sung to Denethor as Faramir rode out on his suicide mission.
- Twilight and Shadow, with is essentially a "poor Frodo" score, but also includes some music for Arwen.
- The End of All Things, the tumultuous but awing cacophony that you hear during the battle on the slopes of Mt. Doom and subsequently before the Black Gates as Frodo attempts to destroy the Ring, and Aragorn leads his troops in a last effort to distract Sauron. (As you can imagine, this, like the others, is not exactly a simple tune for beginners, but I was able to pick out some Lord of the Rings tunes, so middling players ought to be able to do okay) Lyrics are included for the many verses sung in the background of this as well.
- The Return of the King, which begins with Frodo's awakening and the reuniting of the Fellowship, and then Aragorn's coronation. At the end, sheet music fans FINALLY get the music for the Hobbiton theme, which is titled "A Toast in the Shire".
- Into the West, Annie Lennox's endearing song which pretty much sings about heaven, or at least Middle-Earth's version of it.
- Use Well The Days, a bonus because fans haven't yet heard how Howard Shore has arranged this one! It's pretty certain it will be crafted into the Return of the King: Extended Edition which releases around Christmas. From the lyrics, one would infer that it is sort of a benediction that Frodo gives to Sam, although I seriously doubt it is sung that way.
For your piano players, guitar-strummers, and singers, make 'em happy, give them some of the most awesome soundtrack ever to be played for the Lord of the Rings movies.
A Great Book 2004-06-03
The Return of the King is exciting, thrilling, and quirky. This book is exciting, because there are many fights and weapons from a long time ago. It's also thrilling since a character named Frodo gets kidnapped by a gigantic spider that's blood thirsty. This book is quirky because Orcs, who are bad guys transformed from Elfs, ride on elephants that can go twenty times faster than a horse! If you read this book you'll read it over and over again!
The Return of the King 2004-03-27
Pretty good...but not as good as the other two. This contains less memorable tunes, and much, much harder pieces. I bought this book mostly for the song Pippin sings and Into the West. Both turned out a little disappointing. Pippin's song (called The Edge of Night) is just the melody line, with no chords or anything for the bottom hand. I know he sang it that way, but I was hoping for something a little more full. Into the West is still absolutely beautiful, but that doesn't have the melody line written into the piano part. It's just there for the singer, so unless you can sing, or you're really good at improvising, you won't be able to play it like you'd hope. However, I would still recommend this book to any Howard Shore/LOTR fan. It will take practice, but I think it will be worth your time. Also, when I was looking at this, I was wondering what the book would look like because there was no picture. It's the movie poster, just like the other two were.
LOTR Sheet Music 2008-06-07
The Return of the King sheet music book is pretty amazing. If your an avid fan of Lord of the Rings (or even if you just like the music), this is the sheet music for you. It has a nice selection of different pieces from the movie. The pieces range in skill level which is also nice. All in all a great buy.
All of the best 2007-02-25
This sheet music has everything except the Rohan theme.I love the diversity.It's so much fun to play-from the regal Gondor theme to the homey Shire theme.I love the 10 straight minutes of The Return of the King track.And the beautiful music for Arwen is captured in Twilight and Shadow.Overall,a very satisfiying book.A perfect gift for any lotr fan who knows piano.
Exactly like the original score! 2005-10-25
This book has been very hard to put down ever since I first got it a few weeks ago. I just can't stop playing "Into The West" and "The Return of the King". This book really, really shows the genius masterpiece in its right form, that Howard Shore composed for the Lord of the Rings. Most of the songs are fairly easy to play and great just for your own enjoyment/entertainment but also perfect for solo recitals, or group performances. Buy this together with 'The Fellowship of the Ring' and 'The Two Towers' for your ultimate enjoyment!
GREAT!!!! 2004-12-19
I love this! It is much better than the Two Towers or Felloship books. Why? Because I'm a pianist, and these solos are actually fun to play. The other two books are covered in my handwritten changes to the extent of looking like a Beethoven autograph. While I still make changes in ROTK, these are much better arranged for the pianist who enjoys playing.
The Return of the King 2004-10-14
The battle for Middle-Earth rages on, and the forces of good have one final stand against the face of evil. Also, Frodo and Sam go through their hard times together, yet with love being their success. And there is a very shocking surprise for the people of Dunedain. I would call it the most emotionally satisfying book I have ever read.
