>>> Mulitple Spoilers, of course <<<
Just like last year, here's my attempt to make some order of the many cues that make up the latest LOTR score CD. Return of the King, like TTT last year, is mostly suites of music skilfully edited from short cues, but this time they are usually continuous scenes in chronological order (which made my job much easier 
). Needless to say, the end result is very satisfying, and a great listen. This list tries to link each cue with the scene it scores.
Thanks to all the people who posted below to help update this list, and to those who can help fill in further gaps in the near future.
[For the Two Towers analysis, go to this page]
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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Score CD cue-by-cue analysis.
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Track 1: A Storm is Coming
The first half of the first track is indeed the first music we hear in the film, but the 2nd half is from another scene, which apparently didn't make the final cut of the theatrical edition.
0:00 - 0:31 Playful strings as we see the Newline logo and production credits.
0:31 - 0:48 The Ring theme as we see the Main Title on screen.
0:48 - 1:14 Flute passage as we cut to a close-up of Smeagol hooking his worm, and then to the two river hobbits in their boat.
1:14 - 1:37 Ascending strings as Deagol gets all excited about hooking a big one, and gets pulled in.
1:37 - 1:55 The track cuts to the ring theme as Deagol sees the ring on the river bed and picks it up in that well-known shot from the FOTR prologue.
1:55 - 2:52 Not in the Film (as far as i could hear) Action music from some Mordor scene, including a great rendition of the Mordor theme intertwined with the Seduction theme.
N.B. The fight between Smeagol and Deagol is scored using sound effects (mostly the 'heartbeat' of the Ring).
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Track 2: Hope and Memory
Most of this track appears continuously in the film
0:00 - 0:22 Hurried strings as Gandalf, Merry and Pippin walk down from the Great Hall to the stables in Edoras. (The scene where Merry explains to Pippin the gravity of what he has does is unscored)
0:22 - 0:51 Hints of the Shore and Fellowship theme as Merry hands some pipeweed to Pippin and says goodbye. Builds up to...
0:51 - 1:06 ...A great variation on the White Rider theme as Gandalf and Pippin ride out on Shadowfax.
1:06 - 1:25 Fellowship theme as Merry and Aragorn climb the watchtower to see them ride off, and we see them riding across a stream.
1:25 - 1:45 Beautiful string piece, not heard in the film.
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Track 3: Minas Tirith
More or less a suite of Minas Tirith-related pieces, from scenes early-on in the film
0:00 - 0:28 Can't place this Ominous statement of the Gondor theme.
0:28 - 0:54 Eerie marching music as the orcs cross the river ala Saving Private Ryan.
0:54 - 1:15 Rousing action music with multiple statements of the Gondor theme as Faramir and Co. fight the orcs in Osgilliath.
1:15 - 1:37 Choir piece as a group of archers take out a group of orcs, and Faramir then orders his troops to break cover and ride to Minas Tirith. This cues ends just before the Nazgul arrive at Osgilliath.
1:37 - 2:02 Grand statement of the Gondor theme as Gandalf rides over the hill and we get a first glimpse of Minas Tirith.
2:02 - 2:35 Cuts to Ben Del Maestro's angelic voice as Gandalf wards off the Nazgul and leads the Gondor riders to Minas Tirith safely.
2:35 - 3:37 Amazing building of the Gondor theme as Peter Jackson gives us an aerial view of Gondor on Gandalf's arrival.
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Track 4: The White Tree
The track title refers to the first part, but the chunk of this track is the stunning 'beacon' music.
0:00 - 0:32 Elegiac piece with choir as Gandalf and Pippin walk past the White Tree
0:32 - 1:08 The Boromir flashback, with a reprise of the cue from FOTR, as Denethor speaks to Gandalf and Pippin about his lost son.
1:08 - 1:33 Fast-paced string piece as Gandalf instructs Pippin, who then climbs up to the beacon tower. This piece is then repeated later as Pippin is lighting the beacon.
1:33 - 3:25 Amazing piece which starts as the first beacon is lit, and then escalates as further beacons follow suit. The track keeps rising and eventually explodes into the Gondor theme (2:37) with interweaving string playing as the beacons are lit. Superb piece of cinema. The track ends as Aragorn sees the last beacon from Edoras.
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Track 5: The Steward of Gondor
More of less continuous track as scenes intercut between the main hall and the battlefield during the 'eating' scene.
0:00 - 1:22 Choir and flute combine as the Gondor soldiers ride through the streets of Gondor and we see the faces of the saddened onlookers.
1:22 - 2:00 Military-sounding statement of the Gondor theme as they reach the city gate and ride out.
2:00 - 2:34 The drums continue accompanied by orchestra as the line of riders approaches Osgilliath. This piece is much longer in the film. This cue ends as we cut to a shot of Denethor eating, and about to ask Pippin whether he can sing.
2:34 - 3:37 Pippin sings while Denethor stuffs his face, intercut with scenes of the soldiers riding to Osgilliath and the Orcs taking aim on the ramparts.
3:37 - 3:53 Solemn ending to the track as Pippin holds back tears. We never get to see the arrows reach the soldiers. In the film the piece continues with a violin coda as we see Gandalf sitting alone somewhere in the city, and we hear church bells ringing.
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Track 6: Minas Morgul
Another continuous track covering the scenes outside the titular tower
0:00 - 0:35 The Mordor theme starts as we see a shot of one of the gargoyles outside Minas Morgul, just after the green spire of light has risen out of the tower. This piece plays as wee see various people in Minas Tirith seeing the green spiral.
0:35 - 0:44 Punctuated brass as Frodo and Sam cower behind a ledge.
0:44 - 0:57 The Witch King flies out on his fell-beast and perches atop the main gate.
0:57 - 1:28 The orcs march out of Minas Morgul, to the sound of a pounding motif similar to the Uruk-Hai motif from the previous 2 films.
1:28 - 1:58 Can't Place This String piece. I think this is from some Frodo/Sam/Gollum scene.
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Track 7: The Ride of the Rohirrim
Two sections of Rohan music from the scenes at Dunharrow, with a mid-section from Minas Tirith thrown in.
0:00 - 0:44 Variations on the Rohan theme as Theoden rides through the encampment seeing which men have arrived.
0:44 - 0:52 Horn statement of the Rohan theme as Theoden and Aragorn looks down on the camp from the cliff. This cue is much longer in the film.
0:52 - 1:29 Cuts to a beautiful flute piece as Merry begs Theoden to allow him to ride into battle with the Rohirrim. The piece continues with orchestra as he sadly watches them ride off without him.
1:29 - 1:41 Rousing piece as Eowyn yanks Merry onto their horse and they join the departing army.
1:41 - 2:03 The piece continues with horn statements of the Rohan theme as the Rohirrim leave en masse for Gondor.
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Track 8: Twilight and Shadow
Continuous track covering the Arwen subplot.
0:00 - 1:25 Choir piece as the elves ride through the woods and Arwen sees a vision of her future.
1:25 - 2:02 Great standalone string piece as Arwen does a u-turn and rides home to confront her father about the vision.
2:02 - 2:18 Quiet piece as they discuss her future.
2:18 - 2:36 The swirling strings of Rivendell, as Arwen walks up to the shards of Anduril.
2:36 - 3:30 The solo voice of Renee Fleming sings as Elrond realises Arwen is fading slowly.
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Track 9: Cirith Ungol (special thanks to franz-conrad)
Two short cues from the scenes on the stairway, and another missing cue to end it off.
0:00 - 0:51 Variations on the Ring theme as Gollum whispers into Frodo's ear that Sam will soon ask for the Ring.
0:51 - 1:19 Variations on the Shire theme as Frodo tells Sam goodbye after the lembas incident, and continues to climb the stairs.
1:19 - 1:40 Ascending piece featuring the Caradhras theme from FOTR. Don't think this is in the final cut of the film.
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Track 10: Anduril
True to the title, this track is made of two cues relating to the sword in question.
0:00 - 1:15 The swirling strings of Rivendell as the sword is re-cast in Rivendell. (A short segment of the burst at 0:37 is repeated later when Elrond pulls Anduril out from under his cloak, immediately before this next cue)
1:15 - 1:42 Noble horn piece as Elrond hands Anduril over to Aragorn.
1:42 - 1:56 Aragorn pulls the sowrd from the scabbard and holds it aloft, stating that "The blade that was broken, shall return to Minas Tirith".
1:56 - 2:17 Elrond emphatically urges Aragorn to use the sword to summon to him a greater army, and "become who you were born to be". He then instructs him to enter the paths of the dead.
2:17 - 2:35 Exchange in Elvish: "I give hope to men". "I keep none for myself."
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Track 11: Shelob's Lair
Dark and frenetic cues, unlike anything else on the 3 LOTR CDs, from the scenes we were all waiting for.
0:00 - 0:49 Ominous piece as Gollum shows Frodo the entrance to the tunnel and eventually convinces him to go in. The mini-climax is when Frodo touches the 'sticky' wall.
0:49 - 1:13 Back to the ominous piece, which then escalates into frantic strings as Frodo sees Shelob's other victims.
1:13 - 1:19 Cut to Sam climbing down the stairs outside. This piece is longer in the film.
1:19 - 1:44 After Sam falls and finds the lembas he looks up at the stairs and the strings start again, and we cut back to Frodo trying to run away from Shelob, as the Herrmann-esque piece gets faster.
1:44 - 2:34 Disjointed action piece as Frodo escapes from Shelob.
2:34 - 3:01 Cut to Sam's fight with Shelob (which I think also contains a repeat of a previous piece from this track).
3:01 - 3:29 The action music gets more melodic but also more pounding as Sam grapples with Shelob.
3:29 - 4:07 The track reaches epic proportions as Sam stabs Shelob and she staggers around before cowering back into her tunnel.
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Track 12: Ash and Smoke
Disjointed as this cue may sound, it plays more or less as-is in the film, during the beginning of the assault on Minas Tirith.
0:00 - 0:22 Horns sound as a wounded Faramir is dragged in through the gates. We then see the orcs loading their catapults, and the chief orc patrolling the ranks on his warg.
0:22 - 0:30 String section as his stretcher is carried up to the courtyard.
0:30 - 0:54 Denethor runs out in dismay to see his wounded son, and a soldier explains how they were out numbered. We then cut to the chief orc stating how the city is rank with fear.
0:54 - 1:10 Punctuated brass as he he orders to 'release the prisoners', and the orcs catapult severed heads into the city.
1:10 - 1:55 This cue is from a scene later on in the seige of Minas Tirith, once the orcs have breached the walls. Angelic choir with a pounding bassline is heard as the orcs run amok through the lower circles of Minas Tirith.
1:55 - 2:27 This cue follows from 1:10 (of this track) in the film. Denethor despairs, and walks to the edge of the courtyard, where at 2:20 he sees the massive orc army on the fields below. Meanwhile, Pippin realises that Faramir is still alive, and the trolls start loading boulders onto the catapults.
2:27 - 2:56 Denethor is seen close-up, as he despairs that Rohan have abandoned him. The orcs start to fire boulders onto the city, and Denethor starts ordering everyone to abandon their posts, until Gandalf knocks some sense into him. This cue is much longer in the film.
2:56 - 3:25 The White Rider theme is heard just after Gandalf yells "Prepare for battle" and then rides through the lower circles of the city. This cue ends with the great shot (also in the trailer) of Gandalf riding up onto the ramparts, with Sauron's army and Mordor visible beyond the city walls.
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Track 13: The Fields of the Pelennor
More cues from the battle, edited together from various points in the film.
0:00 - 1:20 Drums accompany the Rohan theme and the Nature theme as the Rohirrim leave Edoras. (?)
1:20 - 1:47 More pounding music, reminiscent of Helm's Deep, as the orc towers inch closer to the walls.
1:47 - 2:52 Impressive action piece with full-blown choir as the Nazgul descend on Minas Tirith.
2:52 - 3:22 Triumphant piece echoing the charge out of Helm's Deep, the Rohirrim army hits the Orc ranks.
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Track 14: Hope Fails (thanks to franz_conrad)
Apart from the missing section, this is mostly music from paths of the dead plotline
0:00 - 0:41 Ominous piece as Aragorn looks around the inside of the Halls of the Dead.
0:41 - 1:13 As franz_conrad so elegantly put it - 'a plaintive statement of Faramir's theme for strings and muted brass'. Can't recall this in the film.
1:13 - 1:43 Sublime string variation on the seduction theme, which ends up sounding very desolate. Could be during the exchange of the ring between Sam and Frodo.
1:43 - 2:21 A loud statement of brass followed by an atonal piece, as Aragorn deflects the sword of the King of the Dead and challenges the Army of the Dead to fulfil their oaths to Isilduir. We cut out of the scene when the music reaches its most ominous point - when Aragorn shouts "What say you?".
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Track 15: The Black Gate Opens
One of my favourite tracks from the whole trilogy. These cues from the climax worked brilliantly on screen
0:00 - 0:51 Not sure about when this starts, but I think it's as the black gate starts to open (hence the track title ), and Aragorn etc. hurry back to join the rest of the Westerners and prepare for the onslaught. The Fellowship theme is heard as we see Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas and Gimli leading the pack.
0:51 - 1:01 The music quietens as we cut to Frodo lying in Sam's arms, on the sides of Mount Doom.
1:01 - 1:40 Beautiful flute piece starts, as Sam tries to raise Frodo's spirits by speaking of the Shire. I think this flute piece is a stroke of genius from Shore, because when you hear it on screen, you immediately realise that it signifies how small, hopeless and lonely the two hobbits are, faced with this huge, daunting task.
1:40 - 2:28 Cut back to the Black Gate, as the orcs come pouring out and surround the circle of attackers. I believe the lovely piece with choir starts as Legolas and Gimli express their honour are dying side by side.
2:28 - 3:31 Back to the slopes, as a parched Frodo tells Sam he has lost all sense of reality, and is near the end. This fastens Sam's resolve, and he tells Frodo they must end it all now.
3:31 - 4:01 The first full on-screen statement of the 'Into the West' theme (it was heard softly as Gandalf spoke of the afterlife), as Sam picks Frodo up and, after steadying his legs, continues up the slopes with him on his shoulders. The effect of hearing this piece on-screen is amazing in my opinion, and I consider this the emotional highpoint of the film.
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Track 16: The End of All Things
The 2nd show-stopping choral track from a score this year (after Neodammerung), this track lives up to its title.
0:00 - 1:08 Powerful, apocalyptic choir piece which starts just after Frodo says (with an evil twinkle in his eye) "The Ring is mine." It continues as he puts the ring on, Gollum creeps up and knocks out Sam, and Gollum then proceeds to wrestle with an invisible Frodo. In the film the piece is intercut with scenes of the battle at the black gate, and I believe is longer than what we have on CD.
1:08 - 1:50 The choral storms calms down to a solo voice as we see a great shot of Gollum holding up the ring (seen through the ring), with a (justified) blissful expression on his face. The piece works really well because all the chaos stands still for a bit as we appreciate Gollum's only truly happy moment in the trilogy. The piece ends with the Ring theme as Frodo starts to miss it, and decides to try and get it back.
1:50 - 2:13 Back to all-out choir + beating drums as Frodo puts aside the pain in his finger-stump and takes on Gollum. The whole falling sequence is scored using sound effects.
2:13 - 3:52 Another highlight of the CD. Great choir piece with minimal orchestra arrangement. Originally thought this was the piece which starts just as the Ring (finally!) sinks into the lava, and all hell breaks loose. However it is missing from the final cut of the film. The piece ends with a variation of the Fellowship theme, possibly as we see the members of the fellowship at the Black Gate cheering Frodo on.
3:52 - 4:09 Jaw-dropping climax as Barad-Dur crumbles to the grounds, and eventually let's rip, flattening Sauron's army.
4:09 - 5:12 Cut to the lovely piece with solo voice as the Eagles come to rescue Frodo and Sam and carry them to safety.
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Track 17: The Return of the King
Beautiful track, made up of many different cues but which all follow seamlessly in the film, and the tale draws to a close
0:00 - 1:12 Beautiful flute and string passage as Frodo awakens and meets Pippin, Merry and a very amused Gandalf.
1:12 - 1:47 The fellowship theme plays as Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn join the party.
1:47 - 2:15 The shire theme plays as Frodo shares a knowing smile with Sam. The track then build to...
2:15 - 2:44 A grand climax as we see an aerial shot of the packed courtyard, and then zoom down to Gandalf about to crown Aragorn.
2:44 - 3:13 Gondor's/Aragorn's theme as he is crowned.
3:13 - 3:43 He gives a short speech and is applauded by all those present.
3:43 - 4:19 Aragorn sings, and then walks down the stairs with a shower of petals (with singing still playing in the background).
4:19 - 4:40 The Fellowship theme as he meets Legolas, and the track then builds to...
4:40 - 5:25 Arwen's theme as she comes out from behind a banner, and meets Aragorn.
5:25 - 5:52 Aragorn ends all the daydreaming and gets physical.
5:52 - 6:14 They walk down the courtyard, and come across the hobbits, whom Aragorn bows before.
6:14 - 6:43 Superb statement of the Shire theme as all bow to the hobbits.
6:43 - 7:21 Zoom out on Minas Tirith, which blends into the map of middle earth, voiced over by Frodo.
7:21 - 8:12 The shire theme plays as we zoom into the Shire and see the hobbits' return.
8:12 - 8:23 Not in the film.
8:23 - 9:04 The fiddle joins as the hobbits sit in the Green Dragon and soak it all back in.
9:04 - 9:18 The hobbits raise their pints for a toast.
9:18 - 9:40 Sam plucks up some courage and goes over to Rosie.
9:40 - 10:14 The music swells as we cut to Sam and Rosie's wedding. The track ends as we cut to Frodo in Bag End.
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Track 18: The Grey Havens
As the track title suggests, this track covers most of the ending
0:00 - 0:51 Beautiful flute piece which starts when we see the lake in Hobbiton, and Gandalf passing through on a wagon. We then cut to Frodo and Bilbo inside the wagon.
0:51 - 1:11The Fellowship theme plays as the four young hobbits help Bilbo down the stairs.
1:11 - 2:19A new motif which features heavily in this track, as we see Bilbo's point of view - Elrond, Celeborn and Galadriel standing on the pier next to the ship. The piece continues as they escort him aboard.
2:19 - 3:23A very nice touch from Howard Shore - as Gandalf says goodbye, we hear the same piece we heard just outside Moria after Gandalf fell. Frodo then hugs Merry and Pippin.
3:23 - 4:40A heart-wrenching statement of the Shire theme, with humming choir and flute, as Frodo says goodbye to Sam. At 4:07 we hear the piece usually associated with Sam, as him and Frodo share a long and heartfelt hug.
4:40 - 5:17The new motif mentioned above returns, as Frodo climbs aboard and the ship moves out to sea.
5:17 - 5:59The 'Into the West' theme finishes off the scene beautifully as we are treated to a superb shot of the ship sailing out into the sunset.
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Main Missing Pieces I Noticed
For more detailed notes on missing music, see Franz_conrad's assessment here.
1. 'For Frodo'
The biggest omission in my opinion. Just after Aragorn says the above line and charges, closely followed by Merry and Pippin, an epic, choral version of the Fellowship theme lets rip, as we
change between scenes of the battle at the Black Gate, and Gollum fighting with Sam and Frodo near the entrance to Mount Doom. This cue is reason enough for an expanded release.
2. Legolas vs. Mumankil
A great action piece as Legolas single-handedly takes on an Oliphant + crew.
3. The Charge of the Rohirrim
A great statement of the Nature Theme (not sure why, but anyway) as the Rohirrim charge onto the Orc army on the fields of Pelennor.
4. The Eagles
A short piece with choir and solo voice as the eagles carry Frodo and Sam to safety in slow motion.
5. Eowyn
There are various variations of Eowyn's theme during her key scenes.
6. End Credits
The first part of the End Credits feature an orchestral piece, before the Annie Lennox songs kicks in.
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[Message edited by Camillu on 01-07-2004]
