Music of the Ainur: Rap? Country? Opera? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Angry Hill Troll · 02-07-2003, 09:44 AM

I don't think we have any information on the question as phrased above.

What I'm wondering is, for those of you own the Letters or other biographical material, what do we know about Tolkien's taste/background in music?

Clearly music has an important role in Tolkien's work, both as a forshadowing or metaphor for creation (Music of the Ainur) but also the many songs/lays of LOTR and The Silmarillion which are not, strictly speaking, integral to the plot.

Did Tolkien play an instrument? Sing in a choir? Attend symphony or opera regularly? Was it his exposure to the Finnish Kevala (mythology set to music if I recall) that influenced the central role of music in his writings? Does he ever express his tastes in music or what music means to him personally?

02-07-2003, 09:44 AM	#1
Angry Hill Troll Wight Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ephel Duath Posts: 115	Music of the Ainur: Rap? Country? Opera? I don't think we have any information on the question as phrased above. What I'm wondering is, for those of you own the Letters or other biographical material, what do we know about Tolkien's taste/background in music? Clearly music has an important role in Tolkien's work, both as a forshadowing or metaphor for creation (Music of the Ainur) but also the many songs/lays of LOTR and The Silmarillion which are not, strictly speaking, integral to the plot. Did Tolkien play an instrument? Sing in a choir? Attend symphony or opera regularly? Was it his exposure to the Finnish Kevala (mythology set to music if I recall) that influenced the central role of music in his writings? Does he ever express his tastes in music or what music means to him personally?