Part 11/11:
Howard Shore exemplifies how harmonic sophistication and modal ingenuity can elevate film music from mere background to an essential storytelling device. His deft use of diatonic and chromatic elements, combined with seamless modulation and modal interchange, results in scores that are as intellectually engaging as they are emotionally resonant.
For musicians and composers alike, Shore’s work offers a masterclass in using harmonic language to evoke atmosphere, character, and mood. Whether through the mystical shifts in The Lord of the Rings or the suspenseful undercurrents of The Silence of the Lambs, Shore’s music continues to inspire and redefine what film scoring can achieve.