Random Tolkien Ideas

Mandos: Have a guess.

Fëanor: No?

Just a short HC before the weekend ends:

I HC Valar being quite curious about Eldar and their culture, once they arrived in Aman (to varying degrees, of course (some of them more (Manwe, Aule, Mandos...), some much less (Ulmo, Yavanna...)). I HC Valar being of superior intelligence and wisdom (even compared to the most of Maiar and Eldar), but their experience and perception of the world (as it’s creators) is fundamentally different from the other Arda’s inhabitants. Also, unlike the others, they are not material beings and, as I’ve mentioned in one of my previous entries, they perceive everything (including the material world) „indirectly” through music.

I once read about a guy named Baldassare Ferri (born December 9, 1610 - died September 10, 1680) who was apparently one of the most extraordinary operatic singers who ever lived. Reportedly, during his stay in Poland he was much admired (just as anywhere else he performed) and it is said that Queen Christina of Sweden though at war with Sigmund III of Poland, requested the services of Ferri. A brief armistice was therefore arranged so that Ferri could pass safely through the battle line.

And that exactly sums up my HC about Eldar and their attitude to music (and all art in general, but especially music).

I imagine music festivals going on for weeks with crowds arriving at Tirion and later Himring just to hear Maglor sing. Opulent celebrations and balls being held in his (and other singers’) honor, grand productions staged in multiple theaters (because who cares about money when it comes to true art), people fainting at his concerts, crowds shouting "One Eru, one Macalaure!" And even Thingol himself would invite Maglor to his court granting him an exception to the infamous Quenya ban – all that just to hear him sing.

I like the idea of music being the very core of the Valar’s existence. Like each of them has their leitmotif. And it could change somewhat according to their mood and state of mind (especially Melkor’s, as he is the most “free” of them all). And I also like the idea that they would perceive the whole world including the children of Iluvatar through music. Like everything and everyone would have their own leitmotif too and that the Valar can see the true and innermost nature of all. Physical appearance would have little meaning to them (though they can perceive it and even appreciate it, it is secondary). e.g. I like to imagine Manwe having this horrible taste when it comes to clothing - he would insist on wearing the most disturbing old shirts (or whatever they wear in Arda) simply because he likes their “vibe”....

And this is how I imagine some of them would ‘sound‘:

Manwe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnzmD7TZzsE

Melkor sane:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNOpKwnAQyw

Melkor less sane:

I was just listening to Mozart’s Requiem and realised that it’s exactly how I imagine Maglor’s Noldolande would sound: