"Dear Mr. Potter…” – The Music of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

I think it’s safe to say that Harry Potter mania in the US didn’t explode until Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire hit the shelves on July 8th of 2000, it just seems like it’s been going on forever. The task of bringing Harry Potter to the screen was sought by many, including Steven Spielberg who turned down the project due to creative differences between himself and Warner Bros. The project then fell to director Chris Columbus. Columbus’s vision of Harry’s wondrous world was presented in stunning and brilliant detail when the first trailer hit the theatres. People were awe struck by it. Images danced in front of the viewer’s eyes at 24 frames a second and the music flowed like water down a mountainside. The music was of course “Hedwig’s Theme,” and that music made readers of Harry Potter imagine and wonder what the rest of the music (and film) would be like. Now that opening day has come and gone, the experience that is Harry Potter can finally be realized by it’s long line of devoted fans. From book to screen, from screen to notes, from notes to an orchestral score, Harry Potter has traveled the spectrum of the minds of readers, moviegoers and film score enthusiasts alike. Composer John Williams, who has worked with Columbus on a few films came back to compose the score for this fantasy film. People have said that this is score is what will bring Williams back into the main stream again. After hearing the score numerous times and now seeing the film I can say that yes Williams is indeed back, however I ask this, did he really ever leave? For those of you who were not fans of some of his other works AI, The Patriot, and Saving Private Ryan than here is your fresh of pure Williams.

The score by Williams is absolutely amazing for lack of better words. It fits the film extremely well and I think my only complaint would be that there is too much music in the film, of course Harry Potter is technically a children’s film and I guess Williams and Columbus felt that they needed to be told hot to feel at every scene. The film opens with the quiet and epic “The Arrival of Baby Harry” and from the first frame to the last, the music (and film) doesn’t let the watcher go. The first cue really sets the feel and tone for the film. While it is mysterious it is at the same time speaking with it’s own sense of wonder and amazement, like the cue is just in awe of the film, a nice touch I think by Williams. The cue also makes use of two themes, “Hedwig’s Theme” and “Harry’s Theme.”

While “Hedwig’s Theme” is the primary theme through the score, there are some other key themes. As mentioned above, Harry’s Theme plays a few times during the film and largely (and beautifully) in the end credits. On the album, the track, “Harry’s Wondrous World” was originally set for the end of the CD (it plays at the end credits) but it was moved up to the beginning of the disc. My guess would be that that was an attempt to hook and sink the listener into the disc and it succeeds nicely. In addition to “The Arrival of Baby Harry” and “Harry’s Wondrous’ World,” Harry’s Theme can be found in track 11 “The Quidditch Match.” The theme it’s self is a very epic fanfare using a lot of string work with some brass backing elements, an absolutely brilliant theme that swells out of the speakers giving the listener a since of wonder, delight and happiness, welcome to the world of Harry Potter.

The other theme is that of the “Hogwart’s Theme, (for those that don’t know what Hogwart’s is, its the School of Magic that Harry and company attend somewhere in the United Kingdom) A very nice tune and is similar to “Harry’s Theme.” Lots of string work here and it builds from the get go. Like “Harry’s Theme” a very swelling piece of music, and while is gives the listener a lot of that’s been given emotionally, it also gives a wonderful sense of pride in something, yet, I feel that it conveys a since of sadness to the listener, but it also hints that think will get better.

It’s not a Williams score without a few notable action cues huh? First off is the long (about 9 minutes worth) “The Quidditch Match.” This cue is absolutely amazing on the CD, but breathtaking on the screen. This cue combines most if not all of the themes of the film. Loud and fast the music takes the listener on a broomstick ride through the sky and stands of the Hogwart’s Quidditch Stadium. The cue is for the most part a melting pot of themes and string work with some brass. The themes mix together nicely with a few transitional notes from William and the cue really gets your blood pumping and ready for more.

The other really great action cue on the disc is track 16 “The Chess Game.” Conveying that sense of “Oh my God We’re Screwed” the track spins the listener off into a world of danger and suspense. The track begins similar to the “The Final Battle” cue from Hook and in a since they are at war, playing life-sized “wizard’s chess” yeah I think war is a good term. The cue is for the most part brassy work with a little bit if strings and even some bells mixed in. The highlight coming at the end when William’s goes into overdrive. What struck me is how similar it sounded to “Bishop’s Countdown” from James Horner’s Aliens. The great brass work is amazing and fits extremely well and I love it, Williams playing Horner, how funny is that?

Another minor theme is that of the dark lord Voldemort (or He-Who-Must-Not-Be Named) it comes into play in track 17 “The Face of Voldemort” (and some of the Forbidden Forrest sequence not included on the album). Made up of some string work with light brass, it’s your typical “bad guy” theme, yet it still manages to strike you and send a few chills down your spine (Williams, you are truly the master)

Some other minor things on the disc, the “Christmas” themed track titled “Christmas at Hogwarts” features not only a Home Alone like Christmas theme, but also a carol by the ghosts performed (walking down the hall, sheets of music and all) by the house Ghosts of Hogwarts, an effective track that gets its message across loud and clear to the listener. I find it funny that they still managed to include a “song” in the film. At least the Backstreet Boys didn’t perform a song called “The Boy Who Lived.” The track called “Fluffy’s Harp” is great because that’s exactly what it is performed with, a harp! (And a small brass backing) A refreshing track that signals the calm before the storm, this nice track fits nicely into the framework of the score.

The score its self is brilliant, by far one of my favorite William’s CDs, (next to every Spielberg CD of course.) From the first note to the final one, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone transports you to that wondrous world of: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Rubeus Hagrid, Albus Dumbledore, Professor Minerva McGonagall, and of course, Professor Severus Snape. It’s magical cloak is one you will want to wear and experience again and again for years to come. I remember the first time I heard this disc (actually I only heard tracks 1 and 2) I was stunned that I could barley walk and I was in a state of shock and wonder for about 45 minutes.

As a fan of the Harry Potter series, this review may be a bit biased, however, out of 600+ votes on this site at the highest rated CD this far this year (or any for that matter) I think many listeners here in the United States, the United Kingdom and around the world have put that magical cloak around them and felt the warmth, power and magic of William’s music.

Bring on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Rating: 4.5 / 5
Favorite Track: 2