Rivendell

A Theme for Elves

 

RIVENDELL, an Elven theme, contains two figures.

 ~ a rising figure for female chorus

 ~ instrumental arpeggios

The theme is often sung using lyrics from Hymn to Elbereth.

Some early investigation work I did prompted me to note when the Rivendell arpeggios are heard alone. You'll see that reflected below.

 

Some of the places the full theme (melody and arpeggios) is heard in FOTR:

Some of the places the arpeggios alone are heard in FOTR:

  • As Boromir, Legolas, Gimli and others arrive in Rivendell for the Council. Elrond tells Gandalf that this peril belongs to all Middle-earth. The time of the Elves is over. (after a few notes, Gandalf replies 'It is in Men that we place our hope.")

  • An abbreviated variant of the arpeggios - emphasizing the Weakness and Redemption theme - is heard as Elrond says, "Men are weak. The race of Men is failing. The blood of Númenor is all but spent. Its pride and dignity forgotten. It is because of Men the Ring survives."

  • After Arwen tells Aragorn that he is his own person... not Isildur, Aragorn answers, "The same blood flows in my veins, the same weakness."

One place this full theme (melody and arpeggios) is heard in TTT:

The place the arpeggios alone are heard in TTT:

  • In a flashback memory, Arwen tells Aragorn that she will remain committed to him. "The light of the Evenstar does not wax and wane. It is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart." This moves into the Evenstar Melody as Arwen says, "Go to sleep."

One place the full theme (melody and arpeggios) is heard in ROTK:

  • The arpeggios play under the Rivendell melody as we see the red hot shards put down onto an anvil and then hit by a hammer.

The place the melody alone is heard in ROTK:

  • When Elrond tells Aragorn in Dunharrow that he has come on behalf of one he loves. "Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor."

Some of the places the arpeggios, alone, are heard in ROTK:

  • After Arwen sees a vision of her future with Aragorn and a son, she turns back from the Grey Havens to return to Rivendell. A variant of the Evenstar Melody plays. Each phrase of the music under the Evenstar variant starts with the notes of the Rivendell arpeggios but the melody moves beyond an arpeggio.

  • The arpeggios play under an unfamiliar melody as Arwen walks in to the room holding the Shards.

  • One time through an arpeggio is heard as Elrond pull Andúril out of his robes and holds it in front of Aragorn. "Andúril, Flame of the West."

For more detailed information on these cues, visit THIS PAGE.