Howard Shore - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Howard Shore returns to Middle Earth for the second film in the Hobbit trilogy. Album of the Week, 9 December 2013.

Fans of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Howard Shore's last venture into Hobbiton won't be disappointed by this latest instalment in the Middle Earth saga. 

There are snatches and remnants of themes from the previous scores to be picked out here but the overwhelming atmosphere is generally more dark and brooding than triumphal - lots of snarling brass and low rumbles.

There are few composers today who write such epic and accomplished film music as Howard Shore. This is thrilling, grand scale, orchestral and choral writing, with Ed Sheeran popping up at the end to sing his song, I See Fire.