DESCRIPTION:
Arwen encounters Aragorn and the hobbits in the forest. In introducing
Arwen's theme, Shore stresses the dulcet tones of female voices—the
characteristic choral sound of the elves. Arwen picks up Frodo and, with
Ringwraiths in pursuit, makes for Rivendell with all her might. She
defeats the Black Riders at the Ford of Bruinen, but the ride has taken
its toll on Frodo. Arwen offers him a blessing and the score returns to its
Elvish vein, repeating Arwen's theme then echoing her words in female
chorus.

UNUSED CONCEPT:
Shore wrote several versions of the Flight
to the Ford chase. Originally the piece concluded
with a brief spate of stillness followed
by mounting strings and chorus phrases (set
to a text entitled "Flood at the Ford of Bruinen")
and a timpani statement of the Mordor
Outline. This take was abandoned before the
chorus was ever recorded. In its place, Shore
recorded an ending that included a wild panic
of aleatoric French horns heard just as the
Wraiths reach the river's edge.
In the film, Peter Jackson decided to use
Shore's first approach, but to dissolve the music
as the river's waters rushed in. (No attempt
was ever made to record the choral line once
it was decided that passage was not to be included
in the final film.) "Pete liked the quiet,"
Shore recalls, "just the sound of the standoff."
Heard on this CD is Shore's preferred setting,
including the French horns.