John Powell's How To Train Your Dragon (3): The Hidden World

[crocodile 7,982]

Very lovely liner notes:

 

Quote

 

When starting on How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, I became aware of how I had spent a very happy part of my life making these movies. The first installment brought me into contact with the wonderful Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, and I was excited finally being able to do a film on my own for Jeffrey Katzenberg at DreamWorks Animation. These are maybe the reasons I worked a little harder on that first score or maybe the Celtic sounding nature of the film meant that I was basically falling off a childhood log, musically speaking. However it happened, it all seemed to click and we were off and running.

 

The second film was a chance to revisit Cressida Cowell’s wonderful world again allowing me to help mature her childhood characters a little in the music. As they dealt with the changes of adolescence and the difficulties of love and death, I was able to expand my vocabulary and try to create a stronger meaning within the thematic material; love, loss, leadership, and how to be an Alpha Now, as I create the music for the last adventures for our beloved heroes, both human and dragon, I find parallels in my own life within the story; as I hope many other people will.

 

My wish is that this score will continue the ideas, ethos and joy of life that I was always trying to put into the previous films but with a nod to my own transitions; a life enjoyed to the fullest with friends and family, where those who have been important will always be with us in someway.

 

JOHN POWELL

 

 

Karol

[Richard Penna 3,669]

Amazon UK appears to have a 2 month delivery estimate for this, and the only other seller is American. Looks like distribution of this internationally hasn't gone well.

[crocodile 7,982]

I've had this CD on pre-order since day one and it's the same status. Something must have been delayed.

 

Karol

[Faleel 5,330]

All major theme parks have delays, when Disney first opened, nothing worked!

[Richard Penna 3,669]

1 hour ago, toothless said:

This score won't be easily forgotten, that's for sure. I had a blast on first listen.

 

It's a score where I'm really putting the time in to get to know it, identify the themes, etc.

 

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of memorable melodies Powell can come up with.

 

I think I want Powell to do Episode IX now

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

17 minutes ago, Richard Penna said:

I think I want JW to do Episode IX

 

Fixed!

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

You want Jurassic World to score Episode IX?

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

Please no.

[mrbellamy 6,272]

29 minutes ago, Richard Penna said:

I think I want Powell to do Episode IX now

 

 

Why Episode IX, specifically?

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

I want Powell to do Chicken Run 2, together with Harry Gregson-Williams.

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

I want Powell to do whatever the hell he wants and ignore whiny film score fans.

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

You're the one who's whining.

 

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

No I'm nooooot!

 

[Arpy 4,145]

The score was on the top charts on iTunes - it must be popular. I can only imagine demand for the CD is through the roof and hopefully won't be delayed any longer!

[Richard Penna 3,669]

48 minutes ago, mrbellamy said:

 

Why Episode IX, specifically?

 

An indication of my preference for Powell's music over JW's recent SW music.

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

Just buy the score to one of the previous installments!

[Richard Penna 3,669]

I should perhaps reword that to: .... preference for Powell's music over JW's recent SW music.

 

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

Someone's in need of attention.

 

Anyway, here's HTTYD3 in stock:

 

https://www.wowhd.com.au/how-to-train-your-dragon-the-hidden-world-original-soundtrack/859372007601

 

[mrbellamy 6,272]

35 minutes ago, Richard Penna said:

An indication of my preference for Powell's music over JW's recent SW music.

 

Just reads like a non-sequitur. 

[crocodile 7,982]

Lost/Found theme in With Love Comes a Great Waterfall. ❤️

 

It's interesting how grown-up all the themes from previous film are. They are used quite differently in this score. They seem to be less boisterous and more nostalgic.

 

Karol

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

I love the riff from “The Kill Ring” from HTTYD1 thrown in Armada Battle! It’s implemented perfectly and just works as a nice callback. Plus it’s way better orchestrated and mixed here, of course.

[Locrius 97]

On 2/1/2019 at 4:31 AM, PrayodiBA said:

Themes Breakdown

 

 

This is great; thanks for doing this. Did Powell ever also release an official list of his themes for the first two films? Has anyone here in the forum taken the time to identify all those themes? Now that the trilogy is over, it would be good to sort out all the appearances of the various themes, amongst the three scores.

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

I know what all the tunes are for the prior two scores, but have never known them by their official titles. I just go by my own reference (there’s a recurring motif I recall hearing in this one and the first one that I call the “anguish motif”, for lack of a better title).

But there’s probably as many themes as Williams has for a Star Wars trilogy! Difference being of course Powell doesn’t literally title a cue “Hiccup’s Theme” or whatever. 

[Arpy 4,145]

Just got done listening through the score and whilst a majority of the material I remembered being in the film is there, there's one connective track that would be placed right between The Hidden World and Armada Battle that's missing. It's a small but lovely brass statement of the Hidden World theme. I hope it's on the FYC or something else!

[toothless 963]

10 hours ago, crocodile said:

It's interesting how grown-up all the themes from previous film They seem to be less boisterous and more nostalgic.

 

Grown-up, nostalgic. That’s how I’m feeling listening to this score. For several personal reasons, the score to the httyd trilogy will always be special to me. I’m so happy right now

[Incanus 5,713]

My reaction after first listen: 

[PrayodiBA 517]

 I revised my judgement!

Early on, i said that the track "Armada Battle" is perhaps the most annoying part of the album...on my first listen.

But...

 

After repeat listen...

This track just soars, up there to one of the best track in the album.

The editing is not bad like i stated before.

And my gosh, the writing is very sophisticated, especially the brass! Unlike previous Powell. The mixing is wayy better than previous Powell too

 

Lets take a look:

 

First, we got a "tragic" version of the furies in love tune (that brass counter play) . 2:20-2-46

 

And then we got this awesome action writing that is more Star Wars-y than Solo could ever be... 3:11-3:34

 

Then, we got the heroic version of the mating riff. 4:53-5:01

 

Then we got but Fate Tune and Riff counterplaying with each other, culminated with that Trumpet at around 6:16-6:22 !

 

And the trumpet counterplay for Grimmel Tune, onward unit delicious chaos to 8:10

 

 

Wow powell!

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

What makes it even better is that the score is largely holding back on action up until then. 

[Will 2,215]

Yeah, like Solo this score sounded like a big mass of headache-inducing craziness on first listen, but then on later listens I'm really enjoying it. Terrific score. 

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

I don't get it, Armada Battle is the only full-fledged action cue here. Maybe you guys are so used to boring Williams stuff that you can't handle anything with actual vigor? 😜 

There's bursts of energy here and there, but the score really waits until that cue to go nuts.

[Will 2,215]

1 hour ago, Warrior of Wet Dreams said:

I don't get it, Armada Battle is the only full-fledged action cue here. Maybe you guys are so used to boring Williams stuff that you can't handle anything with actual vigor? 😜 

There's bursts of energy here and there, but the score really waits until that cue to go nuts.

 

Well, yes, although even stuff like "Raiders Return" has some pretty wild trumpet stuff near the end. Took a few listens for me to be able to truly enjoy it (although I certainly do now!). High-register brass can sometimes feel kind of grinding before I really "understand" a piece's logic. 

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

If you say so, chum! Maybe I'm an adrenaline junkie because the louder Powell action music gets, the happier I am to be living in this era of humanity (despite our...issues). Practically every other composer's action music sounds so frail in comparison. 

 

[Loert 2,510]

"Battling the Green Death" + "Counter Attack" from HTTYD remains the ultimate action set piece for me, however "Armada Battle" is excellent too. I understand where PrayodiBA is coming from, and I had a similar problem with "Battle of the Bewilderbeast" from HTTYD 2, but I also revised my judgement after some more listens. It can get uncanny, the way Powell injects past themes all over the place, but I've come to get used to it I guess...

 

By the way, I was creating a playlist across all the HTTYD films today and I have to say, this entire trilogy might not only be Powell's magnum opus, but is a strong competitor for THE magnum opus of the century so far. Is that an exaggeration? Possibly...but from listening to the music, I don't think there's a better musical storyteller living today.

 

Here's the playlist as it stands currently:

 

Quote

1. This is Berk

2. Forbidden Friendship

3. See You Tomorrow

4. Romantic Flight

5. Test Drive

6. Dragon's Den

7. Valka's Dragon Sanctuary

8. Flying with Mother

9. Battle of the Bewilderbeast [film version, without the drums at the end]

10. Stoick's Ship

11. Lost and Found [Toothless Found + Challenging the Alpha Pt. 1]

12. Furies in Love

13. Third Date

14. Exodus!

15. Armada Battle

16. As Long As He's Safe

17. The Hidden World - Suite

 

(1h 15m)

 

I like having the full fledged "hidden world" theme appear only at the very end. Gives the whole music a truly transcendental finish!

[Will 2,215]

Here to 1:33 - 

 

 

 Classic Powell, brought a silly grin to my face. 

[Richard Penna 3,669]

My current favorite passage is the start of Legend Has It - Cliffside Playtime, with the (fate?) theme developing slowly and deliberately, followed by a reflective and rich version of the village theme. Two of the best ideas in the score for me.

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

LOVE the strings at 8:02 of Armada Battle!

[Miz 139]

Appreciating people's thematic breakdown. I need more listens now!

 

Maybe this was posted already:

 

Powell talks about his music for the trilogy on the BBC Radio 3, yesterday.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0002c7x

[toothless 963]

Once, there were dragons 😢

 

________________

 

Just came across this interview on twitter

https://audioboom.com/posts/7161879-episode-126-dean-deblois-on-the-music-of-the-how-to-train-your-dragon-trilogy

[Loert 2,510]

The final few minutes of Third Date has some gorgeous parts:

 

5:29 - 5:41

 

And this snippet sounds like it belongs in a Debussy piece:

 

6:21 - end

 

[SteveMc 2,674]

Listening now.  

Now this is a score!

[Bespin 8,475]

After three movies, I really hope they find out how to train them finally.

[Jamin Jedi 0]

Does anyone know what this theme is at 6:34?

 

 

EDIT: I just found it here as well at 1:57

 

EDIT AGAIN: Nvm l worked it out: it’s one of the hero themes.

[MedigoScan 324]

On 2/2/2019 at 10:42 PM, Loert said:

"Battling the Green Death" + "Counter Attack" from HTTYD remains the ultimate action set piece for me, however "Armada Battle" is excellent too. I understand where PrayodiBA is coming from, and I had a similar problem with "Battle of the Bewilderbeast" from HTTYD 2, but I also revised my judgement after some more listens. It can get uncanny, the way Powell injects past themes all over the place, but I've come to get used to it I guess...

 

By the way, I was creating a playlist across all the HTTYD films today and I have to say, this entire trilogy might not only be Powell's magnum opus, but is a strong competitor for THE magnum opus of the century so far. Is that an exaggeration? Possibly...but from listening to the music, I don't think there's a better musical storyteller living today.

 

Here's the playlist as it stands currently:

 

 

I like having the full fledged "hidden world" theme appear only at the very end. Gives the whole music a truly transcendental finish!

 

I feel any list without the insane bagpipes from "Stoick confronts Drago" are woefully incomplete.

[scallenger 481]

This may change after seeing the film, but after a couple listens this one is probably ranked 3rd best in the scores. Not that it's bad in any way! It just doesn't feel quite as memorable to me overall, despite some highlights. Oddly enough, I don't think the song is quite as bad now as I once thought, haha. But still my least favorite of those three. I definitely do feel like there are superior orchestrations at play here, but there is nothing that quite sticks with me like the majority of the first score did, and it lacks the extreme energy and even emotion at times that the second score had. It has a different mood overall, which is great for what it is, but not what I was expecting. There was just enough references to the older themes, but I also expected more of those as well. However, I can assume whatever happens in the film may have dictated those choices.

 

Also, I do echo the person that said the villain's theme sounds like Owen/Blue's theme from Jurassic World. LOL. Not exact, but pretty similiar. I think it works fine in its use. I'm happy to hear that there doesn't seem to be much missing from the album. Powell is really good at making the right choices on his albums and filling the CDs to max capacity! Even though there are some nice bits, I have always been content with the albums for the prior Dragon scores, and even Solo.

[Taikomochi 1,136]

Yeah, I agree it’s definitely the weakest of the three, but it’s still a 5 star effort.  A lot of film composers never write a single score as good as this.

[SteveMc 2,674]

Weakest?  I think not.  Less extroverted, more precise I would say.  For me, it is the best, but that may be subjective.  But this is an exceptionally strong score, certainly no worse than the other two.

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

7 minutes ago, Taikomochi said:

A lot of film composers never write a single score as good as this.

 

Yeah, such as his Hollywood mentor...

[Taikomochi 1,136]

Maybe “weakest” was the wrong language to use. It’s hard to criticize a score that is so good, but I think it has a few shortcomings that put it just a hair behind the other two - the unremarkable villain theme and the somewhat schizophrenic Armada Battle as the things that immediately come to mind.  I’d put them all on the same level.

[SteveMc 2,674]

You do have a point, the villain theme does not jump out, no.  Again, perhaps Powell was purposely being introspective.  I have no qualms with Armada Battle, though.

[Kasey Kockroach 2,343]

It might be my favorite of the three, but I’ll need another ten years to fully decide. It’s as fully rounded a listening experience as 2, while as narratively strong as 1. Armada Battle might be the most satisfying of the final battle cues for me since the album largely waits until then to go nuts. It’s mostly romantic beauty until that point.