NEW YORK (Oct. 1, 2009) — “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy has seen many incarnations over the years. J.R.R. Tolkien’s books — “The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers” and “The Return of the King” — still stand as classics in literature. Visionary film director Peter Jackson helmed beloved cinematic adaptations a few years ago. And Toronto and London audiences recently had the chance to see a musical stage version of “Rings” that was short-lived, but gargantuan in its scope.

Now, Howard Shore, the composer of the score for each film, and Maestro Ludwig Wicki of Lucerne, Switzerland, have helped usher in a new dimension to the “Rings” universe: accompanying a showing of “Fellowship” on a large screen with a live orchestra performing the film’s score.

Locals will have the chance to see the work of Wicki, the 21st Century Orchestra, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, The Collegiate Chorale and soprano Kaitlyn Lusk when they perform at Radio City Music Hall Oct. 9 and 10.

Recently, Wicki spoke with The Leader from his hometown of Lucerne on what has become a project of love and devotion for the conductor.

“So many people are very excited,” he said of the 21st Century Orchestra’s enthusiasm to perform in New York City. “I am completely excited.”

Wicki said he became attached to the project in late 2007, after the orchestra he conducts performed a concert of Shore’s best-known film scores. From that original spark, the fire has been burning for Wicki ever since. In March 2008, the performance piece had its world premiere, and now it will play the historic Radio City Music Hall.

The thrill of conducting the sweeping music in one of the world’s most famous venues is not lost on Wicki.

“It’s like a gift from heaven, like a miracle,” he said. “It opened us really big doors.”

In some ways, Wicki has been working his entire life for a chance like this. Raised in a musical family, Wicki gravitated toward folk and church choir music at a young age. Concurrently, he grew fascinated with Ennio Morricone, the composer of several classic film scores, including “The Untouchables,” “Bugsy” and his several collaborations with spaghetti-western director Sergio Leone. At one point, Wicki even dreamed of growing up and playing in Morricone’s orchestra. “When I was 15, I wrote whole Morricone pieces to play with my group,” he said.

From those early aspirations, Wicki became a member of the Lucerne Symphony and Opera Orchestra and founded a brass quintet. While his professional life progressed, he eventually fell in love with Gregorian choral music and became a permanent member of the Scholas Romanum Luzernsis.

It was at this point that Wicki began focusing on conducting opportunities — everything from Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Bruckner.

“I live in Lucerne,” he said. “I never thought to go out from my home, to be a conductor.”

But life for Wicki had a different plan. Although he still calls Switzerland home, he enjoys the difficult but rewarding life of playing in concert halls and various venues throughout the world.

But Lucerne is his first geographical love. “You can work with the best people here,” he said. “You have a really good chance to realize the most fantastic projects. … I will never leave.”

For the Radio City show, Wicki will conduct an orchestra consisting of 75 musicians (slightly trimmed from 85). When the maestro spoke with The Leader, he was prepping for another grueling day of rehearsals.

“Yesterday, I had six hours of rehearsal, no almost nine hours,” he said with a laugh. “At the end of the day, I was really, really tired. It’s really hard work. The rehearsals almost need more energy than the performance.”

The crowds for the performance of Shore’s score have been varied, Wicki said.

There are the film’s fans, who show up dressed in full “Rings” regalia, while other attendees are older fans of the book. Still others are lovers of classical music, while others go in expecting one thing and leave with a respect for the work of an orchestra.

“It’s a very good connection to bring new people to the concert hall,” said Wicki, adding that by having an accompanying orchestra, the music of the film comes into its own and takes on a new character. “In the movie version, a lot of the music is cut down. Here the music is always there.”

“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” will play Radio City Music Hall accompanied by Howard Shore’s complete score performed live by the 21st Century Orchestra, The Collegiate Chorale, Brooklyn Youth Chorus and Kaitlyn Lusk. The conductor is Maestro Ludwig Wicki. Visit www.radiocity.com for more info on the other “Lord of the Rings” attractions planned in New York City in the coming days.