Soundtracks

I would suggest:

The Patriot
Last of the Mohicans
Braveheart
The 13th Warrior
The Last Samari
Lord of the Rings
Harry Potter soundtracks are pretty good

If I think of any others I will post them. These are the ones I listen to when I write. Also Evanesance Fallen and Savage Garden are good writing cd's. Usually it goes by mood. I have others but they are far from epic.

Besides LOTR & HP soundtracks, I also love to listen to these when I write, or anytime:

Children of Dune
Kingdom of Heaven
Narnia
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pride & Prejudice (the new one has a great sense of epic love)
Master and Commander (has great classical songs too)
The Day After Tomorrow

All these have epic songs, but I think the first 2 have the most. And Children of Dune has 36 songs, so it's worth the money. (And if anyone's looking for more subtle soundtracks for quieter moments, Contact, Crouching Tiger, and The Bourne Identity/Supremacy are good. And for creepy moments, I recommend X-Files - not the one inspired by the film though, the actual soundtrack.)

Can you tell I love soundtracks??

Wish I could help but the only music I can stand when I'm writing is the sound of the rain, birds coming in through an open window or that of children playing in the nearby school playground. Occasionally I listen to music when I'm writing poetry but it would be likely to be classical music. I am greatly inspired by music, but mostly when I'm driving my car. Then I listen to music that has a story to it such as that of the Moody Blues, eg. Story in your eyes - can't you just visualize that? Chris de Burgh, Elton John or U2.

Eh, I myself wouldn't suggest the HP soundtracks. Those seem more magical/mischievious to me, rather than epic.

As to a calm approach to the epic, you might want to try the soundtrack for Hero.

Akuma <--- Carrying a wand and swinging a sword

I'll also add:

Gettysburg
Band of Brothers
Armageddon
Romeo and Juliet, Volume 2

The soundtrack to King Arthur is epic (and by Hans Zimmer, the same guy who did Gladiator). I have it on constant rotation lately.

I second the 13th Warrior suggestion, as well.

I listen to a lot of Phantom of the Opera when I write. But when I do fight scenes, I pull out Muse. <grin>

Maprilynne

The Babylon 5 soundtracks by Christopher Franke are great music.