The sets are expensive to produce, and not practical to produce in small batches. It seems likely the label is unsure whether producing large batches will result in large sales at this point.
That said, I don't understand why they're not all equally available for streaming. And maybe at this point, they should just produce regular CD sets without the elaborate packaging and the DVD-A.
But then, it's not my money at stake.
I believe the complete RotK is—or at least was—available through iTunes. Don't know about Fellowship or Two Towers.
The sets are expensive to produce, and not practical to produce in small batches. It seems likely the label is unsure whether producing large batches will result in large sales at this point.
That said, I don't understand why they're not all equally available for streaming. And maybe at this point, they should just produce regular CD sets without the elaborate packaging and the DVD-A.
But then, it's not my money at stake.
If it is legalities / contractual issues keeping them out of print, then eventually we'll see them. But if it is an expense issue, I agree with the above, just reissue them in less extravagant packaging as Schiffy said - just the CDs, no DVD's and no booklets.
I have all 3 sets, even if they are rarely listened to, but lots of folks did miss out, there's some demand, at least enough to justify digital releases you'd think.
How long ago did these come out? I imagine product costs would be much higher today. In retrospect I feel fortunate I had the finances to get these at the time of release, and didn't procrastinate.
How long ago did these come out? I imagine product costs would be much higher today. In retrospect I feel fortunate I had the finances to get these at the time of release, and didn't procrastinate.
They were released consecutively late in the year from 2005 to 2007. RotK was "orderable" for normal prices until early 2012, I seem to recall.
As to what various people have noted about the demand for these sets (or alleged lack thereof), I find it extremely difficult to believe. Obviously, I'm not privy to any inside information, but LotR is well-loved, as are PJ's films, as are HS's scores. The Symphony and Live to Projections are still taking place, which would indicate that the interest is there.
Unless there are some legal issues hobbling a re-issue (and/or preventing FotR and T2T from being offered digitally), of course. I acknowledge that those probably cannot be divulged to the public. Doug Adams noted he had been working on re-issues in the past year, so something *is* going on, yet I continue to be flummoxed that these sets were ever allowed to go OOP. I mean, reportedly Warner Bros. underestimated the demand back in late 2007 and didn't have enough copies of RotK on their hands, so it was difficult to get even at the very beginning. I know, because I couldn't get the CR for over three months. I was irate back then, lemme tell ya.
Still, it's a huge shame that music this good remains out of reach for many people, some of who(m?) may have newly come to film music. But I hope that patience will finally be rewarded. I, too, need additional copies for...reasons.
I own all three of these, yet if they were to be reissued I would actually get them again. The reason being is that silverfish got into all three and ate a good portion of the surface of the boxes/tracklisting inserts, inside and out.
I know, I know, it's all about the music but it's really irritating how I let that happen.
As to what various people have noted about the demand for these sets (or alleged lack thereof), I find it extremely difficult to believe. Obviously, I'm not privy to any inside information, but LotR is well-loved, as are PJ's films, as are HS's scores. The Symphony and Live to Projections are still taking place, which would indicate that the interest is there.
As another not privy to any inside information, I will play devil's advocate here.
Yes, the films are beloved, but only a small percentage of those fans are also fans of the music away from those films. And an even smaller percentage has the patience (and money) for the very long (and expensive) complete recordings. (The incomplete original score releases – which are each over 70 minutes, which is quite enough for most fans – remain available on CD, download, and streaming. Same goes for the "Symphony" presentation.) Remember that people attending the live-to-projection presentations are seeing the movies, and a live orchestra, and hanging out with other Rings fans. That doesn't necessarily mean these people are fans of the soundtracks on their own… and again, the complete soundtrack is another animal entirely. (I have been to John Williams concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and spoken to many in attendance who don't own a single Williams CD. They come for the experience.)
Are there people who still would like to buy these sets? Of course there are -- some are in this very thread. But again, are there enough to justify expensive repressings? I don't know, you don't know, and Reprise Records doesn't know. But I don't think it's a ridiculous notion that the audience may simply not be there in large enough numbers.
But then, what do I know? Again, I stress, I'm only paying devil's advocate. Maybe more will be pressed next week. For the sake of those who are wanting these, I certainly hope so.
More than me, and together, we probably have forgotten more than other people ever knew...
Of course I'm coming at this from the angle of a really passionate admirer and lover of all things Middle-Earth. I did inquire at places higher up the food chain, but never received an answer (I did receive replies, but not every reply also constitutes an answer). It just bemuses me that re-issues, whether in the original CR fashion, or as slimmed-down clamshells, are taking so long.
Here, I present my favourite single piece of music from HS's oeuvre as a reminder of its sublimity.
I asked Doug Adams about The Hobbit Complete Recordings this past February via twitter: Can't embed the tweets but here's the short response:
@DougAdamsMusic Just wanted to ask if you had any insight on whether we will see a release of The Hobbit Complete Recordings some day?
@stingray2501 Nothing in the works at the moment. But a number of projects are tied to an ongoing negotiation, so perhaps when that settles
@DougAdamsMusic Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!
I have a feeling that there are things happening with LOTR behind the scenes, and given some more time once negotiations wrap there will be hopefully a LOTR Complete Re-issue, and maybe even a Hobbit Complete.
I lucked out getting a copy of the complete recordings through a classified ad.
I am so desperate for The Two Towers Complete Recordings set that I will offer $200 for a copy that's in good condition. These people asking for $600+ are out of their minds.
The sets are expensive to produce, and not practical to produce in small batches. It seems likely the label is unsure whether producing large batches will result in large sales at this point.
That said, I don't understand why they're not all equally available for streaming. And maybe at this point, they should just produce regular CD sets without the elaborate packaging and the DVD-A.
But then, it's not my money at stake.
If a record company can't make money on box sets of scores that sold out and now sell for triple or quadruple in the after market then they were doing it wrong.
If a record company can't make money on box sets of scores that sold out and now sell for triple or quadruple in the after market then they were doing it wrong.
Again, as devil's advocate: How many are selling for those amounts? They are listed for those amounts, yes. But I have plenty of CDs listed on Amazon (for normal amounts) that have not actually sold for years now.
And even if a dozen copies sell for high amounts, that still doesn't prove there's a market in the thousands needed to justify a repressing.
But again, I take pains to point out that I know nothing.
If a record company can't make money on box sets of scores that sold out and now sell for triple or quadruple in the after market then they were doing it wrong.
Again, as devil's advocate: How many are selling for those amounts? They are listed for those amounts, yes. But I have plenty of CDs listed on Amazon (for normal amounts) that have not actually sold for years now.
And even if a dozen copies sell for high amounts, that still doesn't prove there's a market in the thousands needed to justify a repressing.
But again, I take pains to point out that I know nothing.
But imagine how many would sell at reasonable prices, like $75? A ton of them. The demand is there for these releases. They just need to release the damned things!
If a record company can't make money on box sets of scores that sold out and now sell for triple or quadruple in the after market then they were doing it wrong.
Again, as devil's advocate: How many are selling for those amounts? They are listed for those amounts, yes. But I have plenty of CDs listed on Amazon (for normal amounts) that have not actually sold for years now.
And even if a dozen copies sell for high amounts, that still doesn't prove there's a market in the thousands needed to justify a repressing.
But again, I take pains to point out that I know nothing.
Look pal, if we're gonna whip 'em out and measure 'em... I can tell you that nobody knows less than I do.
