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Author	Topic: Harry Potter soundtrack and question

Dylan Oscar® Winner	Hello, Just got home a little while ago. I purchased the Harry Potter soundtrack by John Williams today and I'm very pleased with the way the score turned out. It doesn't remind me of Danny Elfman but some of it does remind me of the themes of Richard Band. It's really a different side of Williams I think. Not really sci-fi--ish, not exactly swashbuckling, and not overly dramatic. The prologue (it sounds like it would be the Main Titles though, Of course I don't think there has been a Williams cd that the inserts inside labeled the opening credits music as Main Titles, we'll have to see when the film comes out) and "Visit to the Zoo/ Letters from Hogwarts" are the most excellent tracks so far. I've only gotten to track 7 (as well as track 19) and probably won't be able to listen to the entire cd tonight. II had a question: In the trailer, as the opening shots are shown the music playing is Hedwig's Theme but with a waltz (or "3 quarter time"; I know many here know what this is) playing in the back I beleive on a xylophone. The waltz is not present in the Prologue or Hedwig's Theme and my main question is if Hedwig's Theme (in any single moment in the score) has a waltz playing in the back. Thanks ~Dylan
posted 10-30-2001 05:35 PM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Oscar® Winner	Can't help you on that, but my guess about the Prologue is that the film might start with the sequence when Harry was still a baby, and then segue into the main titles. So the track might be Prologue & Main Titles.
posted 10-31-2001 05:32 AM PT (US)

James Oscar® Winner	But then what's "The Arrival of Baby Harry"? I thought the music that begins the Prologue was identical to the music that begins the trailer (both waltzes), so maybe I'm not understanding your question completely. And it's a celeste (or celesta), not a xylophone. Sorry I wasn't much help... James
posted 10-31-2001 08:34 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Oscar® Winner	The Baby Harry track is what it is. Read the books! --Brian NP: May It Be from "The Fellowship of the Rings"
posted 10-31-2001 10:46 PM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by James: But then what's "The Arrival of Baby Harry"? Yeah you're right, I noticed this myself yesterday. Then perhaps they just messed around with the sequencing and track titles like they did with the first Phantom Menace release, and the tracks don't have anything to do with their titles. NP: Poltergeist (Jerry Goldsmith)
posted 11-01-2001 07:36 AM PT (US)

MusicMan Oscar® Nominee	Hello all, new to the group here. Heard a lot about this group and thought I would join in. Just a quick note. The opening of the first Harry Potter film is new material, not included in the book. NOTE: *possible spoiler** It begins on Halloween night... Harry's parents are in their house with the infant Harry. Harry's father is performing magic tricks with his wand for the baby's amusement. A dark figure, Lord Voldemort, is seen creeping outside the house. After the figure enters the house, the battle between Voldemort and Harry's parents begins, with the eventual death of both of Harry's parents. And we all know what happens to Lord Voldemort after that. This entire new opening to the story was added by the film makers because it was felt it would create a better story ark for the film. Hope this helps with the music questions. Take care all.
posted 11-01-2001 09:59 AM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Oscar® Winner	Welcome MusicMan to MovieMusic. --Brian One of the resident "Harry Potter" and "Final Fantasy" Nuts NP: K-PAX
posted 11-01-2001 10:04 AM PT (US)

James Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by Crono/Kyp: The Baby Harry track is what it is. I'm not sure what you mean. And I have read the books.
posted 11-01-2001 12:35 PM PT (US)

Dylan Oscar® Winner	"And it's a celeste (or celesta), not a xylophone." Thanks for the correction James. I finished the cd and there is no waltz played with Hedwig's Theme (on the cd) like it does in the trailer. Oh well. Maybe one was used in the complete score? We'll have to see when the film comes out. -Dylan
posted 11-01-2001 03:46 PM PT (US)

James Oscar® Winner	Hmmm... I guess I'm still not sure which portion of the trailer you're talking about. And I suppose it also depends on what you consider a waltz... the two dictionary definitions are generally "a ballroom dance in 3/4 time with a strong emphasis on the first beat" or "a concert composition in 3/4 time." Using the latter definition, a waltz is used throughout the score; using the former, it never is. Again, I offer information but no help... sorry. James
posted 11-01-2001 08:48 PM PT (US)

Dylan Oscar® Winner	James, I noticed a waltz in track 19 that is like the one used in House on Sorority Row but I was referring to a different style (and my favorite style) of waltz. Remember the waltz from Simone's Theme in the Pee-Wee's Big Adventure score? I heard a similar waltz like that in the first few seconds of the second HP trailer and a variation of Hedwig's Theme played with that kind of waltz is not present on the CD. Sorry if my statement up above was a tad confusing. [Message edited by Dylan on 11-02-2001] [Message edited by Dylan on 11-02-2001]
posted 11-02-2001 10:26 AM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Oscar® Winner	I have of course not listened to the score yet, but I know Hedwig's Theme as it was used in the trailer, the recording of the concert performance, and the piece as it is currently used in the German Coca Cola commercial - and they ALL are in 3/4 time.
posted 11-02-2001 12:14 PM PT (US)

Dylan Oscar® Winner	I wanted to inform you guys that I do know the difference between a peice being performed in 3/4 time (like Harry Potter is) and having an actual 1-2-3 (or umm dat dat) being played. I love all kinds of waltz's, but I had sort of expected an actual 1-2-3 (as in ex. Puppetmaster, Simone's Theme from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, etc.) being played when Hedwig's Theme showed up in the score (and when I said Hedwig's Theme I met the Home Alone sounding part of that track). About track 19 and the absence of an umm dat dat: I'm not saying that having an "umm dat dat" included in the opening of the track would've improved it and I'm not saying that it doesn't sound good without it (in fact, that entire track is a gorgeous peice of film music)...I was simply anticipating it to sound the way I described. I hope I clarified things. Best Regards to the group, Dylan
posted 11-02-2001 04:40 PM PT (US)

Lorien Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by MusicMan: Just a quick note. The opening of the first Harry Potter film is new material, not included in the book. ... Harry's parents are in their house with the infant Harry ... Lord Voldemort, is seen creeping outside the house.... Doesn't happen, sorry. That event is only referred to. We learn about it as Harry learns of it. The movie opens with a scene that could best be described as "The Arrival of baby Harry". This is the prologue, if there is one. There isn't much else that could be a prologue, unless perhaps a very small bit of narration, but that would have been so connected with the baby scene that it seems odd it would be separated on the soundtrack (and I don't recall it at all). Then would come a Harry Potter's theme as the brief opening credits play. Is it a particularly small track, this "Prologue"?
posted 11-04-2001 12:06 AM PT (US)

MusicMan Oscar® Nominee	quote: Originally posted by Lorien: <BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:</font><HR size=1>Originally posted by MusicMan: [b]Just a quick note. The opening of the first Harry Potter film is new material, not included in the book. ... Harry's parents are in their house with the infant Harry ... Lord Voldemort, is seen creeping outside the house....<HR size=1></BLOCKQUOTE> Doesn't happen, sorry. That event is only referred to. We learn about it as Harry learns of it. The movie opens with a scene that could best be described as "The Arrival of baby Harry". This is the prologue, if there is one. There isn't much else that could be a prologue, unless perhaps a very small bit of narration, but that would have been so connected with the baby scene that it seems odd it would be separated on the soundtrack (and I don't recall it at all). Then would come a Harry Potter's theme as the brief opening credits play. Is it a particularly small track, this "Prologue"?[/B] Well, just wait and see the film. According to the script I read and all the story boards and dailies I have seen, the scene I describe is in fact the opening of the film. This scene was filmed (and is very good from what I have seen), but may have been edited it out, (I have not seen a final cut as of yet) but I doubt it was removed. I would like to know what information you have to contradict me Lorien. Sounds like all you are going on is supposition.
posted 11-04-2001 09:58 AM PT (US)

Lorien Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by MusicMan: Well, just wait and see the film. ... (I have not seen a final cut as of yet) ... I would like to know what information you have to contradict me Lorien. Sounds like all you are going on is supposition. No. I've seen the movie. Sorry.
posted 11-04-2001 08:17 PM PT (US)

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