Rahman Recounts “Unbearably Dark” Lord of the Rings Musical Creation

Composer Explores Unique Sonic Palette for Ambitious Project

Composer and musician A.R. Rahman has opened up about the challenging yet rewarding process of creating a musical adaptation of “The Lord of the Rings,” describing its journey into profoundly dark themes. He shared that during the writing and recording phases, the material became overwhelmingly intense.

Crafting an Immersive Experience

For **Rahman**, his artistic output transcends mere auditory appeal; it’s about constructing a holistic experience. He likens his approach to that of a film director, meticulously overseeing every element, from the visual branding like poster design to the typography, ensuring each component aligns with his distinct creative vision.

“We are what our choices are, our work is our choice of listening or writing,” he stated. He emphasized a recent focus on curating his projects to better convey his personal artistic evolution, aiming for clarity in his self-expression.

“So people don’t think that some third person is doing it… when we do like musical theatre or anything produced from India, it’ll have a certain kind of quality which will be very unique,” **Rahman** added, highlighting the distinctive quality often found in Indian productions.

An Eclectic Sonic Tapestry

The musical’s soundscape features an eclectic array of instruments, including the nyckelharpa, a Swedish keyed fiddle, alongside violins, brass, flutes, and vocal arrangements. For the vocal performances, **Rahman** enlisted Bosnian singer **Alma Ferovic**. Their initial collaboration proved so fruitful that it blossomed into a lasting friendship, with **Ferovic** later contributing to the acclaimed Bollywood film “Rockstar.”

With the musical being reimagined for a contemporary audience, **Rahman** feels the timing is opportune for the production to regain prominence. “The musical is being reinvented,” he shared. “I think right now the adaptation is very cool, it’s very immersive and it can still contain the whole story.”

Globally, the musical theatre industry has seen a resurgence, with productions often drawing inspiration from beloved literary works. For instance, the recent stage adaptation of “The Great Gatsby” opened on Broadway in 2024, aiming to capture the iconic novel’s spirit for a new generation.