The upcoming season two of "Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," based on the fantasy world created by J.R.R. Tolkien, has been enveloped in mystery, mirroring the secret forging of the legendary rings in the author's iconic universe.
Bear McCreary, the composer for the show, shares insights into the difficulties of keeping production details confidential while working on its musical score.
"I would come [home] after working for 12 hours and my wife would go, 'How's it going?' And I'd go, 'The project is going okay,'" he recalls, speaking to Billboard.
With the new season set to debut on August 29, the behind-the-scenes operations continue to be shrouded in secrecy. During a recent recording session at AIR Studios in London, the absence of the show's title on the sheet music raised intrigue among the musicians involved.
Despite this, McCreary noted, "Even though there's a code name, they know when they see my name and hear these tunes."
Having been mentored by Elmer Bernstein, McCreary possesses the proficiency to create all the musical cues for the Amazon show, except for the well-known opening theme composed by Howard Shore.
Being deeply passionate about movie soundtracks, particularly those in the epic fantasy range, has massively impacted his creative endeavors. Having garnered praise for his contributions to shows such as "Battlestar Galactica" and "The Walking Dead," McCreary is now under increased pressure as he works on season two, set to explore Tolkien's universe in greater depth.
In the current series, a new blend of musical components has been incorporated, such as adding a Bulgarian female vocal ensemble to enrich the overall atmospheric quality of the soundtrack.
"[Bear's] use of innovative musical approaches, combined with his deep understanding of Tolkien, provides a unique world-building for this series," said Bob Bowen, head of music at Amazon MGM Studios.
According to Billboard, McCreary's deep understanding of audience responses is evident in how he weaves nuances and hidden gems into his music to captivate viewers. The composer's delight in sharing the musical adventure with his family is unparalleled, particularly as his daughter revels in the series and its enchanting melodies, reinforcing his sense of accomplishment in enriching the legendary world of Middle-earth.
He confessed, "I would come [home] after working for 12 hours and my wife would go, 'How's it going?' And I'd go, 'The project is going okay,'" remembering his conversation with his daughter when he worked on the first season of the show.
"My daughter was seven at the time - she would [have gone] to school and said it. The secrecy was crazy."
