I've been doing a rewatch of FotR with production and post- commentary.

I'd forgotten (or never noticed) that Gimli and the hobbits are the correct relative sizes to each other. How cute. Also, odd.

Yes, the hobbit actors are tiny.

I went to see the LOTR symphony yesterday in Hartford, which was so much fun. I hadn't listened to the soundtracks in a few months, so I loved hearing all my favorite bits, like the Ents storming Isengard, and the first iteration of the Rohan theme; I think it's track 3 on the TTT soundtrack, although now I can't recall exactly what scene it's in, but it's so noble and triumphant, as opposed to the melancholic feeling it takes on later. Oh, and I'd forgotten what a beautiful piece of music that is for Aragorn's coronation, the song that he sings as the newly-crowned king. And "Into the West" still makes me cry, just a little bit.

Unfortunately, the boy soloist who sang that high, keening lament just after Gandalf falls into the abyss of Khazad-Dum was really terrible. Solidly off-key, couldn't hold the note, barely even keeping correct time. I felt bad for him, because that must be so embarrassing, and he's in seventh grade, so I'm sure his voice is changing, but--this is a professional orchestra! I was honestly shocked that they couldn't find someone better. Anyway, not to rag on the poor kid, but it was really painful to listen to.

Otherwise, it was a very enjoyable afternoon. There were a number of women wearing Evenstar pendants, and a few women who were dressed in long, flowy, Arwen-style dresses. It was kind of nice to not be the geekiest one in the crowd, for a change!

Unfortunately, the boy soloist who sang that high, keening lament just after Gandalf falls into the abyss of Khazad-Dum was really terrible. Solidly off-key, couldn't hold the note, barely even keeping correct time.

That's a shame. It's just on this side of fiendishly difficult, but if they couldn't find a kid who could do it, they should have had Sissel do it or something.

My friend in the chorus said he was better in rehearsals, which makes sense--he probably overtaxed his voice, especially since it is a difficult piece, and by the time the actual concerts rolled around, he just couldn't do it. He did better on the "In Dreams" solo, but still not great.

He might also have been terrified. I would have been.

Good point. I do feel bad for him.

Edward Ross' voice on "In Dreams" still makes me weep. I don't know if I could sit through it live and not embarrass myself. It actually makes me weepier than "Into the West," because, well.. It just does.

There were a number of women wearing Evenstar pendants, and a few women who were dressed in long, flowy, Arwen-style dresses. It was kind of nice to not be the geekiest one in the crowd, for a change!

Did you have an almost life-sized plush doll of Frodo sitting on your shoulders, to accesorized your cloak made out of a green flannel blanket? That took the geek prize at the Seattle performance.

Oh my.