#32 - Howard Shore - Concerning Hobbits
Explore Howard Shore’s “Concerning Hobbits,” a musical tribute to the Shire’s idyllic beauty and the charm of its inhabitants.
Story Behind “Concerning Hobbits” by Howard Shore
“Concerning Hobbits” is one of the most beloved tracks from Howard Shore’s score for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001). This piece serves as a musical portrait of the Shire and its carefree, simple inhabitants, the Hobbits. Played during the opening scenes depicting the idyllic life in the Shire, the track encapsulates the peace and warmth of this corner of Middle-earth.
The melody is built around a warm, pastoral theme led by the tin whistle, supported by strings and a soft guitar, which evokes the simplicity and joy of the Hobbits’ lives. Shore composed the piece to convey both the beauty of the Shire and the innocence of its people, contrasting with the darker themes and epic scope of the larger story. “Concerning Hobbits” has since become synonymous with the Shire and remains one of the most recognizable motifs in the trilogy.
Technical Details
Notes About “Concerning Hobbits” by Howard Shore
Release Date: November 20, 2001
Album: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Duration: 2:55
Key: D major
BPM: Approximately 90
Genre: Film Score, Classical
Composer: Howard Shore
Album Details
Album: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Release Date: November 20, 2001
Label: Reprise Records
Recording Location: Abbey Road Studios, London
Producer(s): Howard Shore
Orchestra Personnel
Conducted by: Howard Shore
Performed by: The London Philharmonic Orchestra
Featured Instruments: Tin Whistle, Guitar, Strings
Album Production Notes
Howard Shore’s score for The Lord of the Rings trilogy is widely regarded as one of the greatest film scores of all time. “Concerning Hobbits” is a standout piece, blending Celtic-inspired melodies with classical orchestration to create a unique sound that reflects the gentle, rural setting of the Shire.
Interesting Facts about the Song and the Album
Shore chose the tin whistle as the lead instrument to evoke a sense of tradition and rural simplicity, perfect for representing the Shire.
The melody of “Concerning Hobbits” reappears throughout the trilogy whenever scenes revisit the Shire, anchoring the audience emotionally to the Hobbits’ home.
Howard Shore’s work on The Lord of the Rings earned him three Academy Awards, with his themes becoming iconic representations of Middle-earth.