Music of the Harry Potter films

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John Williams, composer of the first three films and creator of Hedwig's Theme.

The music of the Harry Potter film series was recorded and released in conjunction with the post-production and releases of each of the eight corresponding films. The scores were composed by John Williams, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper, and Alexandre Desplat. Musicians credited with writing source music include Jarvis Cocker, The Ordinary Boys and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Jeremy Soule and James Hannigan wrote the music for the Harry Potter video games.

Overview

Year Title Composer Conductor Orchestrator Orchestra
2001 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone John Williams John Williams Conrad Pope and Eddie Karam Unknown
2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets John Williams William Ross Conrad Pope and Eddie Karam London Symphony Orchestra
2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban John Williams John Williams Conrad Pope and Eddie Karam Unknown
2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Patrick Doyle James Shearman Lawrence Ashmore, John Bell, Nicole Nevin, and Brad Dechter London Symphony Orchestra
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Nicholas Hooper Alastair King Geoff Alexander, Julian Kershaw, Bradely Miles, and Simon Whiteside Chamber Orchestra of London
2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Nicholas Hooper Nicholas Hooper and Alastair King Alastair King, Jeff Atmajian, Geoff Alexander, Simon Whiteside, and Daryl Griffith Chamber Orchestra of London
2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows − Part 1 Alexandre Desplat Alexandre Desplat Alexandre Desplat, Conrad Pope, Nan Schwartz, Clifford Tasner, and Jean-Pascal Beintus London Symphony Orchestra
2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows − Part 2 Alexandre Desplat Alexandre Desplat Conrad Pope, Clifford Tasner, Jean-Pascal Beintus, and Bill Newlin London Symphony Orchestra

Principal leitmotivs

Throughout the series, each composer created themes for particular characters, items, locations, and ideas.

First appearance in The Philosopher's Stone

Theme Description Scores Heard in
Hedwig's Theme The dominant theme closely identified with and used in all of the Harry Potter films. Though titled "Hedwig's Theme", it doesn't always specifically represent Hedwig, but rather the wider idea of magic and the Wizarding World. Its concert suite is frequently performed by musicians and ensembles. The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Goblet of Fire, The Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince, The Deathly Hallows - Part 1, and The Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Family Portrait Represents when Harry is thinking of his parents. The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Harry's Wondrous World Associated with Harry's friendships with Ron and Hermione. The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Nimbus 2000 Associated with the Nimbus 2000, flying, and mischief. The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, and The Prisoner of Azkaban
Voldemort's Theme Associated with the main antagonist, Lord Voldemort. The Philosopher's Stone
Philosopher's Stone Associated with the Philosopher's Stone and used to represent Voldemort in The Chamber of Secrets. The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Diagon Alley Represents Diagon Alley as a setting. The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
Hogwarts Forever A secondary thematic representation of Hogwarts. The Philosopher's Stone
Quidditch Fanfare Represents the commencement of the quidditch matches. The Philosopher's Stone
Winter Fanfare Associated with the arrival of winter. The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets
The Dark Forest Represents the Dark Forest as a setting. The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets

First appearance in The Chamber of Secrets

Theme Description Scores Heard in
Fawkes the Phoenix Associated with Dumbledore's pet Phoenix. The Chamber of Secrets
Gilderoy Lockhart Represents the aforementioned professor. The Chamber of Secrets
Dobby's Theme Represents Dobby the House Elf. The Chamber of Secrets
The Chamber of Secrets Associated with the Chamber of Secrets as a setting. The Chamber of Secrets
Moaning Myrtle Associated with Moaning Myrtle. The Chamber of Secrets
The Flying Car Represents the enchanted car used by the protagonists. The Chamber of Secrets
Spider's Theme Associated with Aragog's spiders. The Chamber of Secrets

First appearance in The Prisoner of Azkaban

Theme Description Scores Heard in
Double Trouble Works as the main thematic identity for the third score, also used in a source cue. The Prisoner of Azkaban
A Window to the Past Associated with characters that have connections to Harry's parents. The Prisoner of Azkaban
Buckbeak's Flight Represents Buckbeak while flying. The Prisoner of Azkaban
Quidditch Motif Secondary theme used to represent Quidditch. The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Half-Blood Prince
Patronus Theme Associated with the Patronus Charm. The Prisoner of Azkaban
Dark Omen Motif Associated with Sirius Black in animal form. The Prisoner of Azkaban
Peter Pettigrew's Theme Represents Peter Pettigrew. The Prisoner of Azkaban

First appearance in The Goblet of Fire

Theme Description Scores Heard in
Voldemort's Theme New thematic identity for Lord Voldemort. The Goblet of Fire
Harry's Theme New thematic identity for Harry. Its concert suite is entitled "Harry in Winter". The Goblet of Fire
Hogwarts' Hymn New thematic identity for Hogwarts. The Goblet of Fire

First appearance in The Order of the Phoenix

Theme Description Scores Heard in
Professor Umbridge Represents Hogwarts Professor Dolores Umbridge. The Order of the Phoenix
Possession Associated with Voldemort and his attempt to possess Harry. The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince
Fireworks Associated with the antics of Fred and George Weasley. The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince
Dumbledore's Army Represents Dumbledore's Army and the bonding of friends. The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince
Ministry of Magic Represents the Ministry of Magic. The Order of the Phoenix

First appearance in The Half-Blood Prince

Theme Description Scores Heard in
In Noctem Represents Albus Dumbledore. The Half-Blood Prince
Death Eater Theme Rhythmic ostinato for Voldemort's Death Eaters. The Half-Blood Prince
Malfoy's Theme Represents Draco Malfoy and his mission. The Half-Blood Prince
Slughorn's Theme Associated with Professor Slughorn. The Half-Blood Prince
Harry and Hermione Represents Harry's friendship with Hermione. The Half-Blood Prince
Death Theme Associated with the deaths of Sirius Black and Albus Dumbledore. The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows - Part 2

First appearance in The Deathly Hallows - Part 1

Theme Description Scores Heard in
Trio Theme Represents the loss of innocence of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The Deathly Hallows - Part 1 and The Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Band of Brothers Theme In The Deathly Hallows - Part 1, it represents the Order of the Phoenix. In The Deathly Hallows - Part 2, the theme is associated specifically with Neville. The Deathly Hallows - Part 1 and The Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Voldemort's Theme New thematic identity for Lord Voldemort. The Deathly Hallows - Part 1
Death Eaters Ostinato motif representing the Death Eaters. Often played in counterpoint with Voldemort's theme. The Deathly Hallows - Part 1
Dumbledore Theme New thematic identity for Dumbledore. The Deathly Hallows - Part 1 and The Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Horcrux Theme Associated with Voldemort's horcruxes. The Deathly Hallows - Part 1 and The Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Deathly Hallows Represents the Deathly Hallows as objects. The Deathly Hallows - Part 1 and The Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Dobby's Theme New thematic identity for Dobby. The Deathly Hallows - Part 1

First appearance in The Deathly Hallows - Part 2

Theme Description Scores Heard in
Lily's Theme Associated with the memory of Harry's mother. The Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Statues Represents the Battle of Hogwarts. The Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Battlefield Secondary theme for the Battle of Hogwarts. The Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Severus and Lily Represents Snape's love for Harry's mother. The Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Resurrection Theme Represents the Resurrection Stone and life. The Deathly Hallows - Part 2

References