Harry Potter music

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Different composers have been involved in writing the music for the Harry Potter films. The scores for the first, second and third movies were composed by John Williams (The second feature's score was adapted and conducted by William Ross. Patrick Doyle composed the score for the fourth film. The composer for the fifth film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has officially been announced to be Nicholas Hooper.

The first two movies utilise "leitmotif", a technique John Williams has used in earlier film series, where themes are introduced representing particular characters, objects or places. The third and fourth movies also introduce the audience to new themes specific to the action of those films. The only theme appearing in all four scores is Williams' "Hedwig's Theme".

The first and third movies were nominated for Academy Awards for best dramatic score.

Various adaptations of the scores have been made, including jazz versions of the principal themes by the Mark Kramer Jazz Trio in 2005.

Contents

[edit] Principal leitmotifs

[edit] First appearance in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (PS)

  • Hedwig's Theme (PS, CoS, PoA and GoF). This is the main theme of the Harry Potter movies. It is associated with Harry, Hedwig and magic. The first part is soft and melodic, while the second part is loud and rousing, bringing to mind some of Williams' Imperial motifs from Star Wars. MIDI sequence
  • Family Portrait (PS and CoS). This theme is heard when Harry is thinking of his parents or when he sees them (as in the Mirror of Erised sequence).
  • Nimbus 2000 (PS, CoS and PoA). Theme associated with the Nimbus 2000 and flying.
  • Voldemort's Theme (PS and CoS). A slow and dark theme which has similarities with the Emperor's Theme from Star Wars, this is associated with the character Voldemort. MIDI sequence
  • Diagon Alley (PS and CoS). Played in Diagon Alley.
  • Hogwarts Motif (PS and CoS). Played at the end of the first film (when Neville Longbottom is rewarded House Points).
  • Christmas (PS and CoS). Played when winter arrives.
  • Forest Motif (PS and CoS). Played whenever in the forest (Before Voldemort or Aragog).

[edit] First appearance in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (CoS)

  • The Chamber of Secrets motif (CoS). Main theme of this movie.
  • Fawkes the Phoenix (CoS). A beautiful and heroic theme related to the bird.
  • Gilderoy Lockhart (CoS). A pompous, comedic theme heard a few times in the movie when we see Gilderoy Lockhart. It is primarily played by strings.
  • Dobby the House Elf (CoS). A light, quirky but tender theme employing woodwinds and strings.

[edit] First appearance in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (PoA)

  • Double Trouble (PoA). A distinctly medieval-sounding choral piece. The medieval sound is not just because of the structure but also the use of typically medieval instruments such as the recorder. The children's choir used is the London Oratory School Schola. [1]
  • Buckbeak's theme (PoA). A majestic, "soaring" theme largely using strings.
  • A Window to the Past (PoA). An poignant expansion of Family Portrait theme, making heavy use of recorder. [2]

The two most significant themes of the movie are Double Trouble (inspired by the infamous cauldron scene in William Shakespeare's Macbeth) and A Window to the Past.

[edit] First appearance in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (GoF)

  • Hogwart's March.(GoF) Heard before and after the Maze Sequence.
  • Hogwart's Hymn. (GoF) Chorale for Strings.
  • The Quidditch World Cup (GoF) Themes for the Irish / Bulgarian (also used for Durmstrang) Quidditch Teams
  • Harry in Winter (GoF) The "Love" Theme heard when Harry is asking Cho Chang to the Yule Ball.
  • The Goblet of Fire (GoF) Main motif of the Score.
  • Golden Egg (GoF) Theme for the First Task. Heard during the First Task.

[edit] 'Order of the Phoenix' film score

Nicholas Hooper will compose the original score for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

[edit] Songs and minor melodies

  • House Ghosts of Hogwarts Christmas Song (SS). A ghostly tune included on the soundtrack of the Philosopher's Stone.
  • Hagrid's Motif (SS). Heard in tracks 5 and 10, it represents the silliness of the giant Hagrid. It is a reworking of Jar Jar Binks' theme from Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace.
  • The Knight Bus (PoA). A jazzy theme heard in the Knight Bus.
  • Double Trouble (PoA). Choir tune inspired by a scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth.
  • This Is The Night (GoF). Rock tune inspired by the Yule Ball Dance.
  • Do The Hippogriff (GoF). Rock tune inspired by the Yule Ball Dance.
  • Magic Works (GoF). Soft rock tune inspired by the Yule Ball Dance.
  • Merpeople's Song (GoF). Black Lake clue inspired by the song from the Golden Egg.

[edit] The movie soundtracks

[edit] Other Harry Potter music

Video game music composer Jeremy Soule composed the score for the four Harry Potter video games and for Quidditch World Cup. Even if he used few material from Williams' scores, he stayed in the fanfarish magic style of the movies and created new themes evolving through the four games. His use of choirs, particularly in the third score, gives a gigantic aspect to the music.

  • The five soundtracks are available on iTunes.

[edit] External links

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