104 WSJ. MAGAZINE
“THE WHITE CAPEZIOS on the left were a part of my
onstage costume while I was the musical director of
Saturday Night Live from 1975 to 1980. I have such
fond memories of that period. Next to the shoes is the
Grammy I won for the score of The Fellowship of the
Ring. I won the Oscar next to the lamp for the same
score. Draped around the Grammy is my Governor
General’s Award. I grew up in Toronto, and this is one
of the great honors in Canada for the arts. The awards
are all reminders of really spectacular nights. In front
of the Grammy is one of my early exercise books from
when I was 10 years old and studying music in grade
school. I keep them around to remind me to respect
the basics of music. On top of the exercise book are
my writing instruments: a mechanical pencil for
composition and a pen for orchestration. The nib
pen to the right is from the ’60s when I worked as a
music copyist. The helmet is from the set of the Lord
of the Rings trilogy. It was given to me by director
Peter Jackson. Leaning against it is a picture of
me and composer Toru Takemitsu from a dinner in
Los Angeles where I presented him with a lifetime
achievement award. Takemitsu’s music has had a
large influence on my work, so getting to meet him
was a big thrill. The clarinet is the first instrument
I ever played, a Boosey & Hawkes. My conductingbatons are in the wooden case. In 2004, I toured the
world conducting The Lord of the Rings Symphony,
and through all of the travel the batons were my
constant companions. In front of my batons is a shirt
the great saxophonist Ornette Coleman gave me as a
birthday present. I wear it every New Year’s Eve and
see Ornette dancing in my head. Behind the baton
case is my copy of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. It’s
essentially about everything green and good. Nature
is very important to me; as a composer that was my
connection to Tolkien. The book was always open on
my desk while I was orchestrating and composing the
trilogy. It’s an old friend.” —As told to Sara MorosiPHOTOGRAPHY BY PIPPA DRUMMONDSTILL LIFEHOWARD SHORE
The celebrated composer shares a few of his favorite things.