Josh500 1,615 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Harry's Wondrous World: 3:16 - 3:56I can't get over how brilliant these 40 seconds are! The melody is deceptively simple, but the orchestration is so rich and complex . . . I don't have any words for it. This is something only JW could have written in this way. You can spend a day listening to this section over and over again, paying attention to different instrument groups: the strings, the woodwinds, the brass section, the percussions, etc.Anyway, what the flutes and piccolos are up to is simply mind-boggling . . . those of you who have the written score know what I'm talking about. How does JW come up with these flourishes, anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeshopk 8 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I remember the first time I listened to that track. Boy, the smile kept getting bigger. Williams really had fun with it. I will check out what's at that seconds mark and get back with comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry B 50 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Why isn't this a poll? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share Posted February 29, 2008 Why isn't this a poll?With what options? A to D??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Barnsbury 8 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Very great. The two statements of the rising Hogwarts/Gryffindor theme at 3:35 have always one of my favorite moments of the score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric_JWFAN 11 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I agree, Harry's Wondrous World is my favorite track and I hope they play it throughout this place ----> http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Penna 3,694 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 It's an amazing track. It captures the true spirit of magic and childhood into 4 mins of the most richly orchestrated music I've heard. I'd say it might be Williams' finest composition for the Potter series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpigeon 3 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I enjoy this piece, but it's not among my favorites in the Potter series. I pretty much prefer anything from The Prizoner of Azkaban over it.Ted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delorean90 42 Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Not terribly familiar with the Potter music, but it is a terrific piece. Classic Williams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 75 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 The best track in Sorcerer's Stone definitely. Although I like Azkaban more as a score, "HWW" is one of my favorite Williams Potter pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jarbas 1 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 For me, Harry's Wounderous World is the best cue from Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone. The whole track is delightful, but my favorite excerpt is 2:00 - 3:08... with very joyful chords! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSM 126 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Harry's Wondrous World: 3:16 - 3:56I can't get over how brilliant these 40 seconds are! The melody is deceptively simple, but the orchestration is so rich and complex . . . I don't have any words for it. This is something only JW could have written in this way. You can spend a day listening to this section over and over again, paying attention to different instrument groups: the strings, the woodwinds, the brass section, the percussions, etc.Anyway, what the flutes and piccolos are up to is simply mind-boggling . . . those of you who have the written score know what I'm talking about. How does JW come up with these flourishes, anyway? That passage is great indeed. I get struck especially by the harmonics in there every time I hear it, it's really unique use of chord progression. Also nice how he smoothly changes into the Quidditch Theme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Crichton 4 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 It's a great piece for sure, but I think I prefer Hedwig's Theme, especially the Flying theme section.It's wierd, and nice, how both of the major concert pieces Williams wrote for SS have more than one theme incorporated in them. Almost like suites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 When the HPSS came out,I immediately prefered Harry's wondrous World to Hedwig's Theme,which is still great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Barnsbury 8 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 I also like the short section in HWW where the flute bouncily plays Hedwig's theme plays as the strings play another motif. I really love when composers play around with themes like that, and such clever touches are what continues to set Williams apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 my favourite moment is still the first rendition of Harry's theme in the beginning after the Hedwig's theme fanfare .You can clearly tell right there how much better Williams is at writing themes than everyone else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 It's underrated. I like it more than "Hedwig's Theme". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 A great, great piece. I'm not sure if it's my favorite in Potter land, but it certainly is spectacular!indy4 - trying not to use "brilliant" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 indy4 - trying not to use "brilliant"Save it for a Zimmer clone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trent Hoyt 13 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 I dont know how many other composers do it, but I love how Williams always has concert pieces on his soundtracks. It also helps in making compilations (which I'm doing now and any suggestions would be welcome.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAfonso 186 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Well, Zimmer does from time to time o_o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maglorfin 196 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 It's an amazing track. It captures the true spirit of magic and childhood into 4 mins of the most richly orchestrated music I've heard. I'd say it might be Williams' finest composition for the Potter series.I wholeheartely agree. To this day, it remains my absolutely favourite cue from all the HP soundtracks and many times I listen to it several times at once. Definitely it's an incredibly richly orchestrated piece of music and also a trademark JW composition in Maestro's very best style. I love that piece of music! Otherwise, my personal favourite part is 3:23-3:57. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 Also nice how he smoothly changes into the Quidditch Theme.One thing I adore is the trombone solo from 3:17 - 3:24, which so spectacularly introduces the Quidditch Fanfare. I think the trombone player had a smashing time with this. It seems like two other instruments try to "bring about" the fanfare, but fail . . . first the horn (3:09-3:13), then the flutes (3:14-3:17). On the third try, the trombone finally succeeds. Really great, one of the best transitions.When the HPSS came out,I immediately prefered Harry's wondrous World to Hedwig's Theme,which is still greatWhen the OS came out, I was so fixated on Hedwig's Theme, it took me awhile to "discover" HWW. But once I did, I knew that HWW was the superior piece (at least for me), although both are undoubtedly spectacular and vintage JW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahler3 478 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Absolutely, it's the last time a Williams cue really me bowled me over - adore it and sums up everything that's great about him.And Josh, the LOL emoticon will be on your tombstone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 And Josh, the LOL emoticon will be on your tombstone! I sincerely hope so! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAfonso 186 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 One thing I adore is the trombone solo from 3:17 - 3:24, which so spectacularly introduces the Quidditch Fanfare. I think the trombone player had a smashing time with this. It seems like two other instruments try to "bring about" the fanfare, but fail . . . first the horn (3:09-3:13), then the flutes (3:14-3:17). On the third try, the trombone finally succeeds.Hm, I don't hear any trombone solo there, only trumpet, and I'm not sure if that doesn't sound more like several trumpets in unison... should check with the score... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 Hm, I don't hear any trombone solo there, only trumpet, and I'm not sure if that doesn't sound more like several trumpets in unison... should check with the score... That's trombone, if I'm not mistaken. It sounds way too low to be a trumpet!Does anyone have the written score? Can you check? (I sold mine a few months ago.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAfonso 186 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 There's 3 trumpets in unison playing the intro to the fanfare. ...and 3 trombones playing some counterpoint underneath, but I don't think you mean that. Sure, the trumpets begin in a low position (although they can play even lower... have you heard Shostakovich's 5th symphony?), but it's definitely trumpets.And why the heck would one sell a Harry potter score? o_O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 Well, I mean the part from 3:17 - 3:24. I'm still pretty sure that's (a) trombone(s), though.I needed the money to get myself the Jaws 2 and Home Alone 2 albums! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAfonso 186 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Do you mean this passage? Right before the full-brass quidditch fanfare? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 Yes, that's the one I'm talking about! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Uhhh, yeah! Dot-dot-dot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 Yes, that's the passage I'm talking about ... but what you have there is an arrangement! That's not the original written score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAfonso 186 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Well, what's written there is exactly what I hear in the original recording... it clearly sounds like trumpet, not trombone.(I copied the passage in question from the Sig.Ed. score, as I don't have a scanner here atm. And the only real difference between the Sig.Ed. score and the recording I hear is the ending (which corresponds to the CoS version) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 Well, to me it's clearly trombone. But let's let someone check who has the Signature Edition score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisAfonso 186 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Perhaps my edit came a bit late That quote is from the Signature Edition score Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taikomochi 1,136 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 For me, Harry's Wounderous World is the best cue from Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone. The whole track is delightful, but my favorite excerpt is 2:00 - 3:08... with very joyful chords! Indeed! I like the section much better. Although, this doesn't rank high on my Potter list and Azkaban, I feel, demolishes Williams's other Potter work.Still, a great piece indeed!I still like Leaving Hogwarts best on the CD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,199 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 But let's let someone check who has the Signature Edition score. Chris already did...If it were a few months earlier, I could check at the live performance here in Vienna... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 indy4 - trying not to use "brilliant"Save it for a Zimmer clone.Yes ,the music for the trailer of Prince Caspian,that should fit your definition of brilliant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 indy4 - trying not to use "brilliant"Save it for a Zimmer clone.Yes ,the music for the trailer of Prince Caspian,that should fit your definition of brilliantActually, suprisingly enough, I didn't like that music at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Composer_Fan 2 Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 This is one of my favorite John Williams tracks. SS was the first soundtrack I ever owned, and it's what introduced me to John Williams. I was blown away by the orchestration in this piece, and I'm still blown away today. The harp and glockenspiel add a lot to the section around 2:55-3:00. I also love the rumbling low brass and how it sounds like they're rattling the snares in 3:44.I too hope this is the music chosen at Islands of Adventure. You'll be able to walk from Jurassic Park to Hogsmeade and hear continuous Williams! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TownerFan 4,983 Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 "Harry's Wondrous World" is a truly wonderful piece from beginning to end.Little trivia: the descending rhythmic figure in woodwinds at 2:00 (when the Hogwarts/Gryffindor theme kicks in) is reminiscent of Wagner's Tannhauser overture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 555 Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 I've always classified this piece into the "just a bit too much" category.I'd choose Hedwig's Theme over this. To my ears at least, it has a much more pleasing development and culmination of ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 I've always classified this piece into the "just a bit too much" category.I'd choose Hedwig's Theme over this. To my ears at least, it has a much more pleasing development and culmination of ideas.I agree (although I still prefer HWW), and I think that's why they complement each other so perfectly. These two concert pieces almost bookend the entire score, and encompass almost every aspect of the magical Harry Potter world.On another note, I remember hearing somewhere on this board that the Gryffindor/Hogwarts theme was heavily borrowed from another classical piece. Which piece was that? Can anyone remember? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Breathmask 555 Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 I agree (although I still prefer HWW),Then how do you agree? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 On another note, I remember hearing somewhere on this board that the Gryffindor/Hogwarts theme was heavily borrowed from another classical piece. Which piece was that? Can anyone remember?Little trivia: the descending rhythmic figure in woodwinds at 2:00 (when the Hogwarts/Gryffindor theme kicks in) is reminiscent of Wagner's Tannhauser overture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,199 Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 It's only the stuff playing around the theme (and I admit I never noticed it ). The theme itself has nothing to do with Tannhäuser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 I agree (although I still prefer HWW),Then how do you agree?That Hedwig's Theme has a "much more pleasing development and culmination of ideas," in your words. HWW seems more like a Harry Potter medley to me, although a medley is not necessarily a bad thing. I guess the main reason I prefer HWW is because it has those 40 seconds I talked about.On another note, I remember hearing somewhere on this board that the Gryffindor/Hogwarts theme was heavily borrowed from another classical piece. Which piece was that? Can anyone remember?Little trivia: the descending rhythmic figure in woodwinds at 2:00 (when the Hogwarts/Gryffindor theme kicks in) is reminiscent of Wagner's Tannhauser overture.Lord Maurizio was referring to the "rhythmic figures in woodwinds," not the melody itself. I'm talking about the ascending melody lines . . . which seem somehow strangely familiar. I just can't place it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Oh, my mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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