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, while the fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, was scored by 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 five 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.

1 Principal leitmotifs
2 Songs
3 The movie soundtracks
4 Other Harry Potter music
5 External links

[edit] Principal leitmotifs

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

Hedwig's Theme (PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, and OotP). This is the main theme of the Harry Potter movies. It is associated with Harry, Hedwig and magic and often performed by celesta. The first portion of the track "Hedwig's Theme" comprises this theme.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), and in grand statements during "A Change of Season" and "Leaving Hogwarts”.
The Dursley's Theme (PS, CoS). A Tuba like theme played in The Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets: in The Philosopher's Stone as Uncle Vernon tears a Hogwarts letter and in Chamber of Secrets as Vernon drills bars on Harry's window.
Harry's Theme (PS and CoS). Sounding similar to the family theme, this is associated with Harry and his friendship with Ron and Hermione. It is the more prominent theme heard in "Harry's Wondrous World".
Nimbus 2000 (PS, CoS and PoA). Fluttery and sweeping theme associated with the Nimbus 2000 and flying. The second portion of the track "Hedwig's Theme" is based on this theme, and a more bombastic version is heard in "The Quidditch Match"
Voldemort's Theme (PS and CoS). Theme associated with the Dark Lord Voldemort - this is the longer, rising theme heard in "The Quidditch Match" and "The Face of Voldemort", after Voldemort's face is revealed.
You-Know-Who's Theme (PS and CoS). Theme associated with the Dark Lord Voldemort - this is different from the other Voldemort theme; it is primarily performed by low winds or brass and appears in "The Face of Voldemort" just before Voldemort's face is revealed, as Quirrell is unravelling his turban.
The Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone Motif (PS and CoS). This is the three-note motif associated with the Philosopher's Stone, sometimes wrongly identified as another of Voldemort's themes. Though it is used in CoS for general danger or mystery, a significant part of that score was adapted by William Ross from the first film and so not considered thematically correct. This motif heavily features in the track "The Face of Voldemort" and the climax of "The Gringott's Vault"
Diagon Alley (PS and CoS). Played in Diagon Alley, though does not appear in the first film (only the album).
Magic Community (PS). A festive theme heard in the film during the Diagon Alley sequence and later entering the Great Hall. Neither can be heard on the album, though a variation appears at the end of "Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters and Journey to Hogwarts" just after Hogwarts is first revealed.
Hogwarts Theme (PS and CoS). A noble, brass-oriented theme associated with Hogwarts. A grander, more exciting version of this theme is used for Quidditch.
Quidditch (PS and CoS). Fanfare theme played during the Quidditch matches. The "B" theme is an adaptation of the "Hogwarts" theme.
Christmas (PS and CoS). Played when winter arrives.
Forest Motif (PS and CoS). Ominous string motif associated with the Dark Forest.
Dark Motif (PS and Cos). Played at the intro of Sorcerers Stone and in Chamber of Secrets, The Intro of Arrivial of Baby Harry.

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

The Chamber of Secrets motif (CoS). The Chamber theme is not actually heard in the film very often, but notably on the discovery of the writing on the wall and inside the Chamber itself.
Fawkes the Phoenix (CoS). A beautiful and heroic theme related to Dumbledore's pet phoenix.
Gilderoy Lockhart (CoS). A pompous, comedic theme heard a few times in the movie when Gilderoy Lockhart appears. Strings and harpsichord primarily play it.
Dobby the House Elf (CoS). A light, quirky but tender theme employing woodwinds and strings.
Moaning Myrtle (CoS). Chromatic, rising theme primarily performed by women's vocals, associated with the ghost Myrtle. It becomes quite playful, later played by winds.
The Flying Car (CoS). A rhythmic, playful motif played when the Weasley's flying car is flown to Hogwarts and later escapes to the Forest.
The Spiders (CoS). A descending string motif associated with the spiders, in particular the Acromantulas living in the Forest. It comprises 8-note phrases, suggesting the legs of a spider.

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

Double Trouble (PoA) a distinctly Renaissance-sounding choral piece. The Renaissance style is created using period instruments such as the recorder and harpsichord and the limited range of the melody. The children's choir used is the London Oratory School Schola. [1]
Buckbeak's theme (PoA). A majestic, "soaring" theme largely using strings. It is heard twice in the film; when Harry first rides Buckbeak and later when he and Hermione rescue Sirius.
A Window to the Past (PoA). A poignant theme used to represent the last connections to Harry's family, most notably Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, making heavy use of period instruments such as the recorder and harpsichord. [2]
The Patronus (PoA). Sung by an ethereal chorus, more a chord progression than actual motif or theme. Associated with the "Expecto Patronum" spell, it is poignantly layered with the "Past" theme during the climax of the film.
The Dark Omen motif (PoA). An ominous four-note motif associated with the Grim or Sirius Black in his animal form, notably heard in "Quidditch, Third Year" and "The Knight Bus"
Peter Pettigrew's Theme (PoA). An eerie harpsichord motif, it only consists of three notes though the first is repeated several times. It is not heard at all on the soundtrack album, but is frequently associated with Peter Pettigrew in the film.

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. The score for PoA film relied less heavily on thematic material and more on stand-alone pieces, unlike the first two scores. These include "The Knight Bus", "Aunt Marge's Waltz", "The Whomping Willow" and "Quidditch, Third Year", among others.

[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.
Beauxbatons Theme (GoF) Theme associated with the Beauxbatons School and Madame Maxime.
The Quidditch World Cup (GoF) Themes for the Irish / Bulgarian (also used for Durmstrang) Quidditch Teams
Harry's Theme (GoF) New theme representing Harry, it appears notably as Harry asks Cho out to the Yule Ball and during Priori Incantatem as the echo of his parents rise from Voldemort's wand.
The Goblet of Fire (GoF) Main motif of the Score, a rising minor key and very ominous theme.
Golden Egg (GoF) Theme for the First Task. Heard during the First Task and before the Quidditch World Cup.

[edit] 'Order of the Phoenix' film score

Nicholas Hooper's score for the fifth film relied far less on a thematic approach, instead favouring incidental and atmospheric music. He did compose two new major themes however:

Professor Umbridge (OotP). Theme for the new Ministry-appointed Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher/High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge. Comprises two sections; the first a descending motif in high winds and glockenspiel accompanied by heavy brass and the secondary part a pompous, rising march. As the score progresses the theme becomes more ominous, reflecting the true nature of the cruel and callous Umbridge.
Possession (OotP). A slow, rising motif representing Voldemort's slow and calculated possession of Harry.

[edit] 'Half-Blood Prince' film score

Nicholas Hooper, who also composed the film score for the previous Harry Potter film, will compose this film score.

[edit] 'Deathly Hallows' film score

John Williams declared that he would like to return for the final film.

David Yates has signed up to direct the 'Deathly Hallows' movies. He frequently uses Nicholas Hooper as his composer, so it is now a possibilty that John Williams will not get the job.

[edit] Songs

House Ghosts of Hogwarts Christmas Song (PS). A ghostly tune included on the soundtrack of the Philosopher's Stone.
Double Trouble (PoA). Choir tune inspired by a scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth.
A Winter's Spell (PoA). Choir tune briefly heard in Hogsmeade as sung by a small group of street performers.
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

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (soundtrack)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (soundtrack) (Music composed by John Williams, adapted and conducted by William Ross)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (soundtrack)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (soundtrack) (Music by Patrick Doyle)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (soundtrack) (Music by Nicholas Hooper)

[edit] Other Harry Potter music

Video game music composer Jeremy Soule composed the score for the first four Harry Potter video games and for Quidditch World Cup. Even if he used little material from Williams' scores, he stayed in the fanfarish magical 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.

More recently, James Hannigan has stepped in on the series, scoring the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix video game.Bahtıyor Muzaffarov