Favorite Harry Potter Theme

[John Crichton 4]

OK, we're all bummed out by the news that came out a few days ago. So, now is a good time to celebrate what we do have: 3 (well 2 1/2) superb John Williams scores. So tell us,

What is your favorite theme from the Harry Potter scores?

[Henry B 50]

Blegh, Hedwig's Theme, but there are SO many others...in fact the only themes I don't like are the Quidditch Fanfare, Dobby the House Elf, and Gilderoy Lockhart. (By the way, you forgot "The Spiders," "Moaning Myrtle," and -- well, I'm not sure about this one -- the PoA Hogwarts Fanfare from the beginning of "Hagrid the Professor.")

Sorcerer's Stone Theme (or The Mystery of the Chamber theme)

Ah yeah, that's a good name for the CoS version. I *still* think it pertains to Voldemort...maybe that's just because I want it to.

[John Crichton 4]

(By the way, you forgot "The Spiders," "Moaning Myrtle," and -- well, I'm not sure about this one -- the PoA Hogwarts Fanfare from the beginning of "Hagrid the Professor.")

Crap, too late now. The only one of those I'd consider a real theme is The Spiders. I guess Moaning Myrtle would qualify as a recurring motif. Oh well. But I can't see either of them getting votes with all the other coices we have. If anyone wanted to vote for one of those two, just post it and either don't vote or vote for your second choice.

[Trumpeteer 302]

I prefer to call the "Nimbus 2000" theme the flying theme, because it's not especially used for that broomstick. Some would argue that it's really the magic theme, since its first rendition is at the zoo.

But I love that theme, and almost screamed when I heard it in "POA."

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

Too difficult, I have several favourites I guess: Voldemort, You-Know-Who, "Harry theme", Family theme (they both appear in HWW btw), the one I still believe to be the Hogwarts theme (played during the entry into the Great Hall and the Sorting, not the one in Hogwarts Forever, I still call that the Gryffindor theme).

Marian - who's not sure if the themes of the third score stand out enough to be called favourites, though the score as a whole certainly does.

[Jay 37,364]

There are several mistakes in this poll...

"Nimbus 200" is, as posted, more accurately called the "Flying Theme", as it is used when flying on any kind of broomstick (the practice ones in SS, the Firebolt in POA), or when the snake "flies" from his cage in SS.

"Harry's Wondrous World" is not a theme! Its the name of a concert arrangement that contains many different themes.

"Hogwarts Forever!" is also not a theme! Its the name of a concert arrangement that is based around the "Gryffindor Theme". There is no theme for Hogwarts (Unless you count the "Entry into the Great Hall" theme since it was also used for the banquet in SS and re-adapted into COS).

"The Patronus Light" is not a theme! I used to think so too, but its really just the B section of the "Window to the Past" theme.

Also as others have pointed out, there is definitely motifs for both the spiders and Moaning Myrtle in COS.

You could also argue that there is a theme for Ron Weasley, since the same motif plays when Ron is sorted in SS and when you first see his face outside Harry's window in COS.

Also, the more I listen to certain tracks (released and unreleased) in POA, I'm pretty certain there's a "danger theme" for that score as well...

You also forgot the Buckbeack's Flight motif!

EDIT: You also forgot the Family Theme from SS

[QMM 4]

I voted for Hedwig's theme, but I also still love Lockheart's theme

[John Crichton 4]

"Nimbus 200" is, as posted, more accurately called the "Flying Theme", as it is used when flying on any kind of broomstick (the practice ones in SS, the Firebolt in POA), or when the snake "flies" from his cage in SS.

Nimbus 2000,Flying Theme, same thing. I was just using the name most people use for it.

"Harry's Wondrous World" is not a theme!  Its the name of a concert arrangement that contains many different themes.

Yes, I know the Quiddich Fanfare appears in the concert piece. And I've always considered Harry's Theme and what people call the Friends Theme or Family Theme the same thing. Again, I was just using the name most people here use.

"Hogwarts Forever!" is also not a theme!  Its the name of a concert arrangement that is based around the "Gryffindor Theme".  There is no theme for Hogwarts (Unless you count the "Entry into the Great Hall" theme since it was also used for the banquet in SS and re-adapted into COS).

Again the theme is most often referred to here as Hogwarts Forever, if some want to call it the Gryffindor Theme that's fine.

"The Patronus Light" is not a theme!  I used to think so too, but its really just the B section of the "Window to the Past" theme.

I was referring to the choral piece.

Also as others have pointed out, there is definitely motifs for both the spiders and Moaning Myrtle in COS.

This is adressed in an above post.

ou could also argue that there is a theme for Ron Weasley, since the same motif plays when Ron is sorted in SS and when you first see his face outside Harry's window in COS.

I think this is more of a case of reused music from SS than thematic material.

he more I listen to certain tracks (released and unreleased) in POA, I'm pretty certain there's a "danger theme" for that score as well...

I haven't heard it, but I'm not as familar with it as you are.

You fgot the Buckbeack's Flight motif!

Oops.

If you want to make your own poll go for it, and Neil can delete this one.

[Jay 37,364]

Nimbus 2000,Flying Theme, same thing. I was just using the name most people use for it.

Yea. I think people started calling it that because Williams wrote a concert arrangement around the theme that he titled "Nimbus 2000". Its always been the Flying Theme to me.

I've always considered Harry's Theme and what people call the Friends Theme or Family Theme the same thing. Again, I was just using the name most people here use.

Yea, those themes are all the same. And it's a shame he didn't bring it back for POA!

Again the theme is most often referred to here as Hogwarts Forever, if some want to call it the Gryffindor Theme that's fine.

Yea, that's JW mislabling his own concert arrangements again. Oh well. Another theme I wish had been used in POA (Although, there really was no Gryffindor/Slytherin conflict in the movie like there was in a big way in the book).

I think this is more of a case of reused music from SS than thematic material.

I agree.

If you want to make your own poll go for it, and Neil can delete this one.  

No way, I'm far too lazy for that! Sorry if I seemed harsh before!

[Henry B 50]

I've always considered Harry's Theme and what people call the Friends Theme or Family Theme the same thing. Again, I was just using the name most people here use.

There are definitely two different themes. Harry's/Friends Theme is different from the Family Theme...the former is played first in "Harry's Wondrous World," first in "A Change of Seasons," at the end of "The Quidditch Match," and practically everywhere in Chamber of Secrets. The Family Theme is played second in "Harry's Wondrous World," in "The Arrival of Baby Harry," second in "A Change of Seasons," in "The Invisibility Cloak and The Library Scene," and in "Leaving Hogwarts."

[Henry B 50]

Version 2 of John Crichton's poll, now with 20% more themes!

[King Mark 3,631]

3 (well 2 1/2) superb John Williams scores.  

?

No 3 full Williams scores.The written complete score analysis prove it.

K.M.Who thought this issue was laid to rest.

PS:I voted for Harry`s Wodrrous World(tha Harry Harry Theme,not the family theme)

[Henry B 50]

http://www.jwfan.net/index.php?name=PNphpB...p=125733#125733

[jamesie 1]

What do the main Voldemort themes sound like???

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

What do the main Voldemort themes sound like???

The Voldemort theme is the one with the "big" ascending/descending section at the beginning...the most obvious theme in The Face of Voldemort, it also appears in the Quidditch cue for the first movie. The You-Know-Who theme appears earlier in Face, but nowhere else on the CD I believe, though it shows up several times in the movie.

Marian -

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

Where's the Forbidden Forest theme?

Marian -

[jamesie 1]

Ok... Yeah I love what I refer to as "Voldemort's step theme". It kinda goes up and down the scale and in volume in steps. Or something. I think if John could do a full song composed of Voldemort's two themes, it'd be totally awesome... But with the possibility of no Goblet of Fire, we may never hear either theme again... ANYWHO!

[Jay 37,364]

*Nimbus 2000/Flying Theme/Mischief Theme

mischief theme?

*Hogwarts Fanfare from Prisoner of Azkaban

There is no Hogwarts fanfare from POA... the poster in the other thread was talking about the "Knight Ghosts" music that appears in the begining of "Hagrid The Professor" on the OST... Its just a one-time-only peice of music that underscores the Knight Ghosts (although it was also tracked over the ending of "Lupin Leaves" in the film, its certainly not a Hogwarts fanfare!!!)

[Henry B 50]

mischief theme?

Yeah. Harry's escape from the Dursley's, "Cakes for Crabbe and Goyle," the snake's escape from the zoo, etc., all seem pretty mischievous.

There is no Hogwarts fanfare from POA... the poster in the other thread was talking about the "Knight Ghosts" music that appears in the begining of "Hagrid The Professor" on the OST... Its just a one-time-only peice of music that underscores the Knight Ghosts (although it was also tracked over the ending of "Lupin Leaves" in the film, its certainly not a Hogwarts fanfare!!!)

Not a Hogwarts fanfare? It does underscore the beginning of a Great Hall scene...so with a little imagination...

Where's the Forbidden Forest theme?

...There's a Forbidden Forest theme?

[Henry B 50]

The Voldemort theme is the one with the "big" ascending/descending section at the beginning...the most obvious theme in The Face of Voldemort, it also appears in the Quidditch cue for the first movie. The You-Know-Who theme appears earlier in Face, but nowhere else on the CD I believe, though it shows up several times in the movie.

At what points does the "You-Know-Who" theme play in the movie (but not on the CD)?

[Guest]

Where's the "Get a Life" theme?

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

I'm not sure right now. Possibly when Hagrid tells Harry about Voldemort (after the Ollivander sequence), but that might be the Voldemort theme.... at least it does appear a few times when people speak about You-Know-Who rather than Voldemort... it seems to represent Voldemort as "the mysterious evil guy who nobody wants to think about" rather than the actual real foe Harry comes to know.

Marian -

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

mischief theme?

Yeah. Harry's escape from the Dursley's, "Cakes for Crabbe and Goyle," the snake's escape from the zoo, etc., all seem pretty mischievous.

Actually, I once suggested it might be some kind of Slytherin theme (snake -> parselmouth, and the Dursley escape is just the more or less random recapitulation of themes at the beginning of COS). I hoped the third movie would give me a chance to verify that, but of course the theme is absent there.

Marian - still wondering.

[Henry B 50]

Bah, I think "Nimbus 2000" is a good theme at heart. Slytherin doesn't deserve much more than some ominous low notes or a "snake" sound. Also, Crabbe and Goyle are too stupid to represent the menace of Slytherin, and the use of "Nimbus 2000" in the cakes scene is obviously for comic effect.

[Lurker 5]

Where's the "Get a Life" theme?

Why are you here?

And I merged the topics. Some of you may have to vote again.

Neil

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

Bah, I think "Nimbus 2000" is a good theme at heart. Slytherin doesn't deserve much more than some ominous low notes or a "snake" sound. Also, Crabbe and Goyle are too stupid to represent the menace of Slytherin, and the use of "Nimbus 2000" in the cakes scene is obviously for comic effect.

But it's usage in Quidditch *could* be a counterpart to the Gryffindor theme. Of course I might be wrong, I really don't know. But I think the possibility is there.

Marian -

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Fawkes the Phoenix is still my favorite. I also love Hedwig's Theme, Nimbus 2000, the Family Theme, Voldemort's themes, and A Window to the Past. Buckbeak is a favorite as well, but more for the feeling the piece as a whole creates rather than the six-note theme itself.

Ray Barnsbury

[John Crichton 4]

No way, I'm far too lazy for that!  Sorry if I seemed harsh before!  

No problems here.

No 3 full Williams scores.The written complete score analysis prove it.  

K.M.Who thought this issue was laid to rest.

Yes, it was laid to rest but there is so much reused stuff in CoS I can't help but call it half a score.

I really want to get into the thematic debate, but I have family over and just can't right now. Hopefully later.

Oh, and I'm voting for the Flying Theme. A few months ago I would have voted for Harry's Theme, but the Flying Theme has really grown on me. After seeing PoA for the first time all I could think of was the awesome statement of it at the end of the film.

[Henry B 50]

Yes, it was laid to rest but there is so much reused stuff in CoS I can't help but call it half a score.

Eh, well. If you want to get real technical Chamber of Secrets is about 4/5 of a score.

[Guest]

Where's the "Get a Life" theme?

Why are you here?

And I merged the topics. Some of you may have to vote again.

Neil

Porn doesn't bother you, but ridicule does?

[Lurker 5]

Porn doesn't bother you, but ridicule does?

No, I love porno and I think most of my friends here know that. I don't like seeing board members put down without good cause in a thread that is....<gasp>....discussing John Williams!

Neil

[jamesie 1]

I shall tell you where the "Get a Life" theme is... It is in someone's head who hasn't enough of a life to put down themselves, which seems the most sensible thing to do, in a certain someone's case. If looking on this board and finding things to put others down for then I must declare, that that isn't much of a life. But, then again, one cannot blame ignorance. 8O

[John Crichton 4]

Some random thoughts on what I've read in here:

The You-Know-Who theme appears on the CD, in The Face of Voldemort. First when Voldemort speaks through the turban (before we see his face), and again right after Quirrel's body is destroyed. It also appears in the Ollivander's cue, during his "Terrible but great" speil, and when Hagrid says that he thinks Voldemort is still out there somewhere.

The use of the Flying Theme in Quiddich is 'cause they're flying, Marian.

I really don't see the entry to the Greal Hall cue in SS as thematic, as a theme for Hogwarts. It's just a one-off cue. In the same way that the fanfare in PoA is just a one-off.

Now here's one. Thinking about the Quiddich fanfare and the Gryffindor theme, they seem to be related to me. The first few notes in particular sound like there could be a resemblance there. But this could just be crazy talk.

John- who can't talk about music theory to save his life, but LOVES a discussion of themes in JW's scores.

[Guest]

That's okay, jamesie. I forgive you. j/k

[Henry B 50]

All right, here's something: "The Face of Voldemort" is foreshadowing. Big time. You'll notice that Hedwig's Theme and Voldemort's/You-Know-Who's themes often blend together in this cue. In fact, Hedwig's Theme has a similar structure to Voldemort's. This enforces the idea that Harry and Voldemort are connected, something we don't really know in the first film.

[jamesie 1]

I agree. Do you think that if the crescendo/ decrescendo, stair-stepping Voldemort theme was made into a march of sorts that it would become as recognizable as Darth Vader's march? Gosh, the possibilities of the You-Know-Who theme and Voldemort theme are endless... The Voldemort theme almost sounds a distant cousin of Darth Vaders march... It's along the same lines at least, even if it isn't as developed... Just wondering.

[Henry B 50]

"No, Luke...I am Lord Voldemort."

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

[jamesie 1]

Oh MY! 8O

[Jay 37,364]

There are definitely two different themes. Harry's/Friends Theme is different from the Family Theme...the former is played first in "Harry's Wondrous World," first in "A Change of Seasons," at the end of "The Quidditch Match," and practically everywhere in Chamber of Secrets. The Family Theme is played second in "Harry's Wondrous World," in "The Arrival of Baby Harry," second in "A Change of Seasons," in "The Invisibility Cloak and The Library Scene," and in "Leaving Hogwarts."

The first thing played in "Harry's Wondrous World" is the B section of Hedwig's Theme.....

[Jay 37,364]

I really don't see the entry to the Greal Hall cue in SS as thematic, as a theme for Hogwarts. It's just a one-off cue. In the same way that the fanfare in PoA is just a one-off.

Nope, its a theme that is used twice: First when the children are in the boats approaching Hogwarts and look up at the castle (and Ron says "wicked!"). After the unscored "confrontation with Draco" scene, it plays again as the children enter the Great Hall.

John- who can't talk about music theory to save his life, but LOVES a discussion of themes in JW's scores.

I'm in the same boat

[JoeinAR 1,949]

Where's the "Get a Life" theme?

Isn't that the response you get everytime you try to ask someone out?

seriously why troll in a thread you're not interested in.

You've shown the ability to create interesting threads why not do so.

I chose Windows to the past, but I am torn between it and Hedwig's Theme.

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

The use of the Flying Theme in Quiddich is 'cause they're flying, Marian.  

I don't insist on calling it a Slytherin theme, but I yet have to counter your argument: It's also used in the zoo sequence, and noone is flying there.

I really don't see the entry to the Greal Hall cue in SS as thematic, as a theme for Hogwarts. It's just a one-off cue. In the same way that the fanfare in PoA is just a one-off.

As mentioned above, it appears elsewhere, when they're on the lake on their way to Hogwarts. Not sure if there's another point where it's heard.

Marian - who was disappointed that the Voldemort themes were hardly used in COS.

[Jay 37,364]

I don't insist on calling it a Slytherin theme, but I yet have to counter your argument: It's also used in the zoo sequence, and noone is flying there.

Well, the snake is "flying" from its cage....

As mentioned above, it appears elsewhere, when they're on the lake on their way to Hogwarts. Not sure if there's another point where it's heard.

The lake and the entry into the great hall are the only times its used in SS. However, in the final print they did track the great hall music over the Diagon Alley sequence. I can't remember right now if it was used in COS or not.

Marian - who was disappointed that the Voldemort themes were hardly used in COS.

Well, Voldemort doesn't have much to do with the events of the second book (or third for that matter). We should hear his theme a lot in the GOF and OOTP scores though (unless whatever new composer they get wants to make up new themes).

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

Well, the snake is "flying" from its cage....

I was waiting for that.

The lake and the entry into the great hall are the only times its used in SS.  However, in the final print they did track the great hall music over the Diagon Alley sequence.  I can't remember right now if it was used in COS or not.

I don't think it shows up in COS.

[Jay 37,364]

I don't think it shows up in COS.

I don't think so either.

You know, I think the theme that a lot of people are referring to as "Harry's Theme" is actually just the B section of Hedwig's Theme.

Are you guys referring to the 15-note theme that is the very first thing played in "Harry's Wondrous World"? The theme that is also used at the end of "The Arrival of Baby Harry" over the Main Title? If that's the one you're talking about, that's just the B section of Hedwig's Theme, not a seperate theme unto itself.

[diskobolus 3]

I don't think it shows up in COS.

You know, I think the theme that a lot of people are referring to as "Harry's Theme" is actually just the B section of Hedwig's Theme.

Are you guys referring to the 15-note theme that is the very first thing played in "Harry's Wondrous World"? The theme that is also used at the end of "The Arrival of Baby Harry" over the Main Title? If that's the one you're talking about, that's just the B section of Hedwig's Theme, not a seperate theme unto itself.

No, I don't think people are making that mistake.

[Jay 37,364]

OK, then I guess I don't know what Harry's Theme is. (I've only made my way up to Harry's Birthday in my complete score analysis I'm working on).

I think HP1 might be JW's non-sequel score with the most amount of themes ever...

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Harry's theme is the main theme of Harry's Wondrous World, heard right after the statement of Hedwig's B-theme in that track.

Ray Barnsbury

[Rogue_Leader 2]

The main HP theme with the family theme being 2nd.

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

Harry's theme is the main theme of Harry's Wondrous World, heard right after the statement of Hedwig's B-theme in that track.

It's also the one that features prominently when Harry stands in the center of the Quidditch field after having caught the Snitch.

Marian - who doesn't think the B part of Hedwig's theme has a separate association.