Wildfire Riders

I'm sure you can hear that there are Celtic musical influences in the Northrend soundtrack. It's hard to miss the flute/bagpipe/fiddle combinations in the Howling Fjord. But there are a few other musical "tributes" around too - these two are both Norwegian/Scandinavian.

The Hardanger Fiddle (hardingfele) - a modification made on the early violins to give it a sharper edge and a LOT more projection. As folk instruments go, this one is relatively new - 1650s or so - though the precursors to the violin (the viols and vielles) have been around since around 1200. Rather than just four strings (like a violin) it's got 8 strings - four melodic and four "drone" strings that add vibration and volume. Listen to this youtube track, and then head onto the boat that takes you up to Northrend. If you have the CE, this is featured on the track "Totems of the Grizzlemaw".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYen8-2mkUY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTGtrAJ7V_o
and yes - they did use this instrument for the Rohan themes in LotR: Two Towers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9ZmRm76fm4 (I'm pretty sure this is sped up)

And the Bukkehorn (no, I'm not kidding) - an instrument made from a ram's horn, played with finger holes. This one is fricking OLD (like - early Viking age old). This was originally a shepherd's instrument, though it's gotten adapted into more folk styles since then. The harmonic range on this, much like the penny whistle, makes it almost entirely a melodic instrument (like a pennywhistle or tin whistle).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1f__a8nSTQ (short version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2XQ9wcdvvw (long version)

Go north from Fort Wildemar (sp?) until you just barely cross over into the Grizzly Hills. You can do it even at 70 and still be surrounded by the 70-71 mobs of northern Fjord--rams, elementals, etc. It's safe.

Then just listen to the music.

The soundtrack to the expansion is feckin' awesome.

I think it's some of my favorite WoW music, though the blood elves' cello theme does run it a close second.

There's just something so terribly grand and sad and wistful about some of the Lich King music.

Phileas wrote:There's just something so terribly grand and sad and wistful about some of the Lich King music.

In the great grand battle music of the Blood Elves is a mention right off to the opening lines of the Dies Irae (Day of Wrath chant from the 13th century funeral Mass - first 10 seconds or so only). There's no coincidence that it's grand and sad at the same time, and those opening notes have been used time and time again to represent that. It's a pretty cool musical /hat tip, really. If you have the soundtrack, it's at 6:10 of the Lich King Opening Title track, as well as in other places that I can't find quickly - it's from the Sunwell Battle Music.

Being Swedish, the music of Northrend reminds me very much of home. Or of the "spine" of what is home, anyhow. Not helping with already being homesick. Not at all.

Some of the music and the tone of the strings remind me a lot of what we call a "nyckelharpa" - which is a typical instrument in Swedish "traditional" music. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyckelharpa )

Found this clip on YT; not your typical usage of it, but still... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs3aUCM8BX8

This is a bit more traditional, I suppose:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B3Ojdr51Fc
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPRsvX66bzA

I can't wait to listen to Storm Peaks again. I have no idea if its on the soundtrack.

The music in Outlands and everything associated with it was awesome. The music in Wrath however, has brought me to tears.