Unto the ending of the world

Living in a constant state of near-terminal distraction has its disadvantages. Through inattention and neglect, I missed the opportunity for tickets to the Lord of the Rings symphony event, performed by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, which I had myself blogged about weeks ago. The performance sold out, as I should have expected. However, fortune favors the foolish: good friends alerted me to the sale of tickets to a dress rehearsal for the concert event, and this time I moved with alacrity. Pop culture intersecting with high culture, and at a price point (and appropriate level of attire) that a slacker like myself could appreciate. Score!

So M and I went, and we were thoroughly entertained. I have never attended a SLSO dress rehearsal, and it was an odd, bifurcated experience - the decidedly relaxed atmosphere among the musicians blending with definite and focused purpose at hand. Not quite like being a fly on the wall, but close. Always interesting to watch creative professionals at work. I did wish I could have caught more of what guest conductor Ludwig Wicki said to the performers, but I wasn’t really in a position to yell out, “Maestro, could you repeat what you just said? Thanks!”

The program was just what I’d remembered and hoped for, all majesty and melancholia (LOTR is about nothing if not about the passing of an age). The musicians were true to composer Howard Shore’s work. I knew the Saint Louis Symphony Chorus was performing, but had not known that the St. Louis Children’s Choir - Concert Choir was also involved. Wonderful voices.

In the sixth movement, one of the Saint Louis Symphony chorists - Robert Reed, I think - delivers the oath sung by Aragorn (King Elessar to you) at his coronation at Minas Tirith. It is certainly recognizable as the same piece sung by Viggo Mortensen in LOTR: The Return of the King, and yet it is a different song altogether: much more grave, more regal, and uttered as though by a much older man (as Aragorn was, of course). Mortensen will forever be linked with Aragorn, and rightly so, but I preferred Reed’s performance here.

For completists, the oath in the Tolkien language of Quenya, followed by the English rendering (with many thanks to A Magpie’s Nest):

Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien.
Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar
tenn’ Ambar-metta!

Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come
In this place I will abide, and my heirs,
unto the ending of the world.

Did you know that Mortensen wrote the melody for Aragorn’s Coronation? I did not know that, though my wife did (unsurprisingly, perhaps; her affection for Viggo is a matter of record).

I would be remiss in failing to mention young soprano Kaitlyn Lusk, who is a revelation as vocal soloist for the LOTR Symphony. “Pitch-perfect voice,” said M, who knows of such things. Very impressive, and never more so than while singing “Into the West.”

The “real” performances take place on Friday and Saturday; folks lucky enough to have tickets are in for a treat.

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