I really liked this CD. The music is reviewed elsewhere, so I won't be redundant. I first got the Limited version, and I describe it here: It is in a red leatherette folder which reminds me of the red slipcase edition of LOTR. Open it, and there are two pockets. One holds the CD, and the other holds a small booklet with Elvish/English lyrics from the soundtrack as well as pictures from the movie. This booklet and case are exclusive to the Limited Edition.

The CD itself can be played on computer to go to a special website where you can view trailers, interviews, etc... This is VERY nice, but be warned--the regular priced CD also has this feature.

As to the regular priced CD, the first run of these are packaged with a card depicting one of 6 characters: Frodo, Bilbo, Strider, Arwen, Gandalf, and Saruman. The card is on the cover of the CD, so you know which one you get. Completist geeks will want all 6 versions, as these are very nice cards. The folder in this version is not quite as nice as the limited edition's booklet, but you get the essential information. And, yes, the CD is enhanced for use on the computer in this version.

It is not clear if future pressings of the CD will be enhanced, and I don't expect the cards to be in subsequent runs.

So now you know it all! Which one or ones are you gonna buy!

While the music of this CD is exquisite fantasy fare, the "Limited Edition" packaging is far from magical. For almost twice the price of the regular version, you receive almost nothing in the way of extras and exactly the same music as on the regular edition disk. The additional cost is apparently accounted for in the "leather-like" slipcase and the "art book" that are small recompense for the additional cost. It's no wonder the sheet on the back of the package says nothing with regard to the "limited edition" contents, since there is almost nothing extra offered.

This product is clearly just a stab at the "fan" market with the hope that by adding the "limited edition" stamp to the title it will fool more buyers into spending nearly twice the price. If you are simply interested in the excellent soundtrack, buy the regular version. I wish I had. I could have used the difference in cost to buy another CD.

Five stars for the music, one big star, for the disappointing exploitation of fans.

Tolkien wrote a literary masterpiece. I read it more than 30 years ago and was impressed then. As a movie it was fantastic, one of the rare movies from a book that is faithful and true to the mind's eye. Every LOTR fan that I know felt that the movie was a masterpiece. The score is perfect for the movie. It is not trite. It was not a commercialized effort to write as many tunes as possible so that a soundtrack would be a best seller. The soundtrack was meant for the movie and it did an aweome job. As far as albums go, it may be repetitive. It may not have tunes that are easily whistled or hummed. It is unlikely to have a hit theme song that will be played on the radio. However, as a movie soundtrack, it was superb for the very reason that it enhanced the movie and was an integral part of the whole. That explains why it does not stand as well on its own. I enjoy the album, not because it has great songs, but because it exudes the sense of LOTR. It is a tone poem of sorts. It exudes a mood. There is darkness, but there is also hope. There is fear, but there is courage. If you liked the movie and enjoyed the score, you will like the album. If you are looking for a standard movie soundtrack written with record sales in mind, then this is not an album that listens well as a stand alone. It must be understood in the context of the story and the movie. Also, be aware that the same album came out with multiple covers. Mine has Arwen on the front, but there were also versions with Frodo, or Sam or others from the story. The album inside is the same.

This CD is wonderful! I ran out to the store and bought it the day it first became available, and I have listened to it for hours. I enjoyed it the first time I heard it. After watching the movie (four times & counting) nearly a month later, I haven't been able to take this out of my CD player for very long (sometimes switching it for Blind Guardian's "Nightfall in Middle Earth" for variety).

Howard Shore has really captured the sweeping emotions of Peter Jackson's excellent film: from the mythic opening track "The Prophecy;" to the simple and delightful "Concerning Hobbits;" to the imperious and frightening "Shadow of the Past" and "Treason of Isengard;" to the enchantment of "The Council of Elrond/Aniron;" to the determination and triumph of "The Ring Goes South;" to the desperation and grief of "The Bridge of Khazad Dum;" to the weirdness of "Lothlorien;" to the bittersweet "Breaking of the Fellowship." Enya's haunting "May It Be" is the perfect ending to the soundtrack.

My favourite bits of the soundtrack are tracks 11, 12 & 13, 15, 17, 18. Shore uses very powerful choral work in several of the pieces, performed stirringly by the London Voices, The London Oratory School Schola. Edward Ross, in particular, makes "The Bridge of Khazad Dum" incredibly powerful.

"Concerning Hobbits," which becomes the hobbit theme, reminds me of the hymn "This is My Father's World." I think that's appropriate, because of the innocence and simplicity of the hobbits.

The soundtrack is made infinitely more powerful by viewing the movie. I think that's true of all movies, of course; after seeing the movie you know exactly what's happening during moments of the soundtrack. Just as there were parts of the movie that moved me to tears, there are parts of the soundtrack that nearly do so, during repeated listenings.

This is probably one of my top five soundtracks of all time, and it's coming close to edging out number one Gettysburg and number two Gladiator. I heartily recommend this CD!

I concur that the music on this CD is beautiful, fantastic, and a masterpiece. And there's no arguing that this is one of my most favorite CDs in my wide collection of movie soundtracks. When compared to the actual movie score, however, this soundtrack really only dusts the surface; especially since the Extended Version came out. If you are a serious LOTR fan, then you've probably seen the movie at least 10 times, which is more than enough to notice all the music in the movie and absolutely love every second of it. "Concerning Hobbits" is one of my favorite tracks, but come on! What about Bilbo's Birthday party song? Not to mention that they skip a whole load of Moria music when they're running away from the Balrog. These are just a couple of examples. Maybe I'm just being picky, but what I look for in an "original motion picture soundtrack" is the ALL the music played in the movie. George Lucas did it for his Star Wars fans (yup, I have ALL of those CDs, and I love them!). There's probably enough music in "The Fellowship" to fill up four CDs, but I'd still buy it. That's what I'm waiting for.

If you're reading this review to help you decide whether or not to buy this CD, I'd say it's worth buying (it's gotten hours and hours of play time from me, but maybe that's because I'm still desiring more!). But when the "Extra-Special Limited Edition" comes out, buy that one too, and sell this one on ebay. Or keep it for the sake of your LOTR collection.