: In a similar vein, does anyone else think LotR would make a wonderful opera? I do, and in fact it's my ambition to write one someday. (It's not in any stage of planning or anything yet -- just an idea.) It would be difficult to stage, of course, but definitely worth it.

: And a personal note: I've written settings for quite a few of the songs in LotR. I wish you could hear them -- I'm rather proud of them. And the song I'm working on now, while not from LotR, is Tolkien-inspired.

Johan de Meij is the composer. Spose that would have helped. The CD also has Jerry H. Bilik's "Symphony for Band".
What I really should get is a source explaining the thoughts behind each movement. I'm pretty sure there is such a guide, but I just haven't looked for it.