You will probably be shocked, but I am not a huge fan of the Shore music for Lord of the Rings. The problem is that this is musical material strectched out into parts of, what, 9 hours? Now, it may be just as you pointed out...he has not crystalized it into a symphonic work yet/ever. If he did find the courage (that was the right word) he would write a Suite or Symphony sourced from the soundtrack material, but one that would be centered in its own power. That might be another story. I've been reading since 1966 myself. I remember the anticipation in 1977 for the publication of the Silmarillion. I obtained my copy on the publication date, read it in one weekend, and was so shocked and marred and disturbed and awed that I could not discuss the book nor read it again for two years. ::::: Opera :::::