Maia of music, hide no longer! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

mark12_30 · 03-07-2005, 12:44 PM

After watching Phantom of the Opera at the movie theater, I was struck by the similarities between the triangle of Raoul, Christine, Phantom... and the triangle of Beren, Luthien, Morgoth. Perhaps what started that was Christine's line, "...and those eyes that both threatened and adored", referring to the Phantom, but I thought surely could have applied to Morgoth as well. Also, what struck me most about the Phantom was the power in his music; power of Christine, (edit: sorry, power OVER Christine,) power over audiences. "He, the unseen genius", Christine calls him.

In Tolkien's books, this power of music is a recurrent theme.

(First question) What are the similarities in the way music is treated in Phantom of the Opera, and the way it is treated in Middle-Earth? What, musically speaking, are the differences?

And (Second question) what are some of the similarities and differences between the two triangles: Raoul, Christine, Phantom; versus Beren, Luthien, Morgoth?

(Third question) What are your favorite occurences of musical power in Middle-Earth, and why do you enjoy them?

(Please don't get sidetracked into discussing purely the Phantom; keep it Tolkien-centric.) I am looking forward to your responses!

03-07-2005, 12:44 PM	#1
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Maia of music, hide no longer! After watching Phantom of the Opera at the movie theater, I was struck by the similarities between the triangle of Raoul, Christine, Phantom... and the triangle of Beren, Luthien, Morgoth. Perhaps what started that was Christine's line, "...and those eyes that both threatened and adored", referring to the Phantom, but I thought surely could have applied to Morgoth as well. Also, what struck me most about the Phantom was the power in his music; power of Christine, (edit: sorry, power OVER Christine,) power over audiences. "He, the unseen genius", Christine calls him. In Tolkien's books, this power of music is a recurrent theme. (First question) What are the similarities in the way music is treated in Phantom of the Opera, and the way it is treated in Middle-Earth? What, musically speaking, are the differences? And (Second question) what are some of the similarities and differences between the two triangles: Raoul, Christine, Phantom; versus Beren, Luthien, Morgoth? (Third question) What are your favorite occurences of musical power in Middle-Earth, and why do you enjoy them? (Please don't get sidetracked into discussing purely the Phantom; keep it Tolkien-centric.) I am looking forward to your responses! __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve. Last edited by mark12_30; 03-07-2005 at 05:03 PM.