I found it quite interesting when ARR mentioned that he finds it difficult to compose for "dark" emotions. I always thought that ARR was at his post potent when he composed for films that had darker themes, like 1947 Earth, Water, Fire, Dil Se, Bombay etc. He expresses and communicates sorrow and loss through his music unlike what I have ever experienced before through any composer. It's one of his magical strengths. His music has moved me to tears unlike any other composer. Examples, Bombay Theme, 1947 Earth Piano Theme, the Instrumentals of Fire, songs like Piya Ho, etc.
Perhaps there needs to be a qualittative distinction here within the realm of dark emotions. The darkness that ARR is referring to in the LOTR may be described as angry, evil, menacing, ill intent, while the "darknes" he has composed for in earlier films had to do with more sorrow and loss, more on the melancholic axis of the darkness spectrum. ARR seems to be able to identify with sorrow and loss through his own life experiences, which he is able to communicate well through his music. Given his spiritual, whole hearted and wholesome nature, I believe it when he says that composing music that communicates "evil" in a broader sense would be quite difficult, since his ego is not able to identify with that axis of dark emotions. Perhaps he felt he could compose these emotions on an intellectual plane if prescribed, but not able to do full justice since his heart would not be able to connect to those core emotions. I am guessing, and I could be wrong, that ARR does not identify with anger as much as with sorrow. Would like to hear your thoughts about this.
