Anthology is the name of a Double Album of music by the composer Howard Shore. The music was recorded live during a series of concerts given in Paris in 2023, hence the subtitle of "The Paris Concerts". As with most releases these days, the collection comes in a variety of different formats which may have some differences, but my description here is about the release as presented in the Double CD version. A big chunk of CD1 is taken up by music from The Lord of the Rings films, and perhaps this music is the most familiar to people with its thematic approach to characters and locations. The remainder of CD1 has a few shorter pieces as we'll describe below, and CD2 contains Suites from four of Shore's well-known film scores. In total this Deutsche Grammophon package provides quite a variety of music styles and moods, and highlights the versatility of the composer.
CD1 starts with "The Noble Wood" (or "I Roderyn") which is an orchestral work based on themes from "The Desolation of Smaug", specifically used for the Woodland Elves and mostly presented on Oboe, with strings performing a supporting role. It is a beautiful, evocative work, introducing us to Tolkien's mystical world. The bulk of the disc is taken up by music from the first movie "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring". It is essentially presented in Symphonic form over 2 movements, with each made up of a series of tracks, though note that the tracks (and the track names) are not the same as the original soundtrack, but a different reworking of the music. After a rousing introduction by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and La Maîtrise et Chœur de Radio France, followed by the dark "History of the Ring", we hear the familiar themes association with the Hobbit homeland of The Shire. The Movement finishes with the foreboding "A Black Shadow". Having thus set the scene, Movement II presents the story in a condensed musical form. Needless to say the story contains plenty of action but also some quieter moments of reflection. The movement ends on a nice delicate rendition of "In Dreams".
"Catania" is a piece for solo piano. There is sheet music available for this online at Schott-Music.com. At the top of the score it says "Celebrating Peter Hanser-Strecker's 70th Birthday". However the album "A Palace Upon the Ruins" by Howard Shore as listed on the Howe Records website says that Catania "is a celebratory poem for solo piano written for the wedding of friends and performed by Lang Lang, one of the world's most popular pianists". I don't know which description is correct, but in wither case it seems Catania must be a personal work or private commission. Track 21 "Esther Kahn" is a light piece for piano, strings and woodwind written for a film released in 2002 and shown in various festivals. The final 2 tracks on the disc with prominent violin solo, are adapted from a David Cronenberg film called "Eastern Promises".
It is CD2 that really demonstrates Shore's versatility with every score having a completely different feel. The Fly Suite kicks off with a great dramatic opening based on a 2-note refrain. In subsequent tracks it turns increasingly spooky and then scary, as if the orchestra's breakdown mirrors Jeff Goldblum's physical transformation. The Naked Lunch Suite is thinner in texture, with the orchestra balancing a free-flowing moody sax. With the addition of a harp, the jazz turns increasingly avant garde, before reverting to the jazzy feel. The Ed Wood Suite is here arranged for theremin and orchestra, the arrangement and theremin part performed by Lydia Kavina. The theremin really gives this an authentic 50s sci-fi B-movie feel, the comic effect rivals Elfman's Mars Attacks while the music refers to certain familiar "Martian" themes. The "Crash Suite" rounds things off nicely, its sound enhanced with guitars (often playing pentatonic arpeggios) and later with gongs or gamelans which together with a solo flute impart a subtle yet hypnotic oriental flavour.
"Anthology" is a wonderful collection showcasing the full spectrum of Shore's most diverse film scores. The release can be enjoyed in various formats, for example the CD double album is available at: Amazon.co.uk in the UK, or Amazon.com in the US.
The Hobbit
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Movement I
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Movement II
Catania
Esther Kahn
Concertino from Eastern Promises
The Fly Suite
Naked Lunch Suite
Ed Wood Suite (Transcribed for Theremin and Orchestra)
Crash Suite
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