Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Okay, one question. Were did this Harry Potter came from? I hardly knew these books existed (nothing strange because I hardly read) but the pace that surrounded the magic and fantasy of this wizard kid was still astonishing. In the end it has captured no doubt millions of children and adults, making it one of the hypes of 2001. Of course the hype continued even more when there was word of a Harry Potter movie standing ready to be released. Chris Columbus in the end directed it and advised people that the tale needed a very special quality. And mostly only composers can add that spark to a movie. What would Harry Potter be without him dangling on a broomstick while an amazing piece of music weaves its magic around it? And Chris thought carefully about the musical score because he only went for the best composer in town, John Williams. Recently applauded for A.I. Artificial Intelligence, John was happy with the challenge he received before him. A fantasy tale such as Harry Potter today can only be brought to life by the masters of wizardry themselves, the film composers of Hollywood. In the end it is the movie that sells and the score that weaves. But despite everything Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone doesn't conjure up the magic touch of fantasy and mighty wizards. Other soundtracks have done that before him and Harry Potter only tries to re capture that exact potion.

Now, does this mean that the score is bad? No, its an entertaining album on itself but the great disappointing thing is that John Williams doesn't bring anything new. Its all lovely, great and Williams in all its glory but the fact that old memories bring new signs to the foreground wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Above all what Williams has done in the past, it is the unoriginal approach that makes Harry Potter a weaker link. Hook, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Home Alone, all have created such a fantasy world of music that Harry Potter, despite its obvious attempts couldn't create something new in the end for me. Sometimes all what makes a score good is the original approach or the difference in instrumentation but neither are well developed enough to give Harry Potter the magical new edge it needed for the fans. Still, a Harry Potter album is a sign of orchestral themes with some that stick out the most. Definitely 'Hedwig's Theme'. Since appearing in the trailer it became a hit but I wasn't pleased or not enchanted by it. But after hearing it on disc it has changed my impression. While not truly original, it is one of the best moments where John Williams composes some of his complex adventure music. It is especially enchanting after several repeated listens. Also the second 'Harry's Wondrous World' with its phenomenal fanfares of beauty and the eleventh track 'The Quidditch Match' are sensational. The last delivers us Indiana Jones tension styles while the heroic theme appears in full fashion supported through brass and percussion, (you might think back of 'Belly of the Steel Beast of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade).

Other fine moments sometimes mix many themes through each other, 'The Arrival of Baby Harry' which mixes many variations of Harry's theme through even some choral delight, 'Diagon Alley / The Gringotts Vault' has the sprightly theme for the Wizard street and the menacing theme which especially in the second version receives choral oomph. Hedwig's appearing version in 'Mr. Longbottom Flies' is excellent and 'The Chess Game' is a rhythmic display of drums and tension which works really well in the movie, except missing the rather appropriate finale fanfare for when the game is finished. And apart from those themes or moments, there are many other tiny motifs, like the Christmas short fanfare in track 12, the friendship theme often also associated with Harry's parents makes brief appearances in tracks 13, 17 and a grand finale in 'Leaving Hogwarts'. Especially in the begin the Harry theme receive attention. The second part mixes the adventurous thunder of fanfares like during 'The Quidditch Match' with the more darker signs of evil in the second part. Especially this makes it less attractive then the first part and 13, 14 and 15 don't help in bringing a much smoother listening experience. This is what makes Harry also disappointing, besides the 10 minute overdone running length and unoriginal feel, it are the sometimes boring moments that don't make it that grand overall. But considering the many themes, which especially come to life after seeing the film a couple of times, it is easier to appreciate the score for what it is. And even several dead moments as I called them in the past make much more sense, meaning or create new interest to explore after it.

So, while the first part introduces the veterans of film music to recollections of Hook, Home Alone and E.T. The Extra Terrestrial it is probably the second part of the score that disappointed me the most. What I loved so much about Hook and still do is the fantastical quality that keeps surprising you. Harry Potter doesn't achieve that goal too much and mainly because I didn't discover new sounding moments of brilliance. I can not assume that Williams wasn't inspired by the whole show or the books but in my eyes it feels that way for sure, a bit of course. The lack of an element of surprise, nothing remotely different in orchestration or instrumentation and overall a score that has its dead moments make Harry Potter not a score I return to much. But it is the fact that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is still an overall great score, simply because of the abundance of themes and many great (yet sometimes short) moments. No doubt about it that a lot of people will find the soundtrack an immense electrifying listen and even some will think I'm an idiot overall. Yet sadly Harry Potter disappointed me more then I first imagined it would do. Definitely one of John Williams' least intriguing works of the last years and even if it introduces me to some moments of brilliance, A.I. Artificial Intelligence overall offered me more pride and pleasure. Still a keeper because of its moments for sure.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Prologue (2.12)

2. Harry's Wondrous World (5.21) Excellent Track

3. The Arrival Of Baby Harry (4.25)

4. Visit To The Zoo / Letters From Hogwarts (3.22)

5. Diagon Alley / The Gringotts Vault (4.06)

6. Platform Nine-And-Three-Quarters / The Journey To Hogwarts (3.13)

7. Entry Into The Great Hall / The Banquet (3.42)

8. Mr. Longbottom Flies (3.35) Excellent Track

9. Hogwarts Forever! / The Moving Stairs (3.46)

10. The Norwegian Ridgeback / A Change Of Season (2.47)

11. The Quidditch Match (8.28) Excellent Track

12. Christmas At Hogwarts (2.56)

13. The Invisibility Cloak / The Library Scene (3.15)

14. Fluffy's Harp (2.38)

15. In The Devil's Snare / The Flying Keys (2.20)

16. The Chess Game (3.48)

17. The Face Of Voldemort (6.10)

18. Leaving Hogwarts (2.13) Excellent Track

19. Hedwig's Theme (5.08) Excellent Track

Total Length: 73.36

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=== Link to Composer Site: John Williams ===