New Harry Potter Soundtrack

[Stampyhead]

Just purchased the soundtrack to the "Goblet of Fire" movie from iTunes, and for the most part I am highly impressed by it. First of all I was surprised (but glad) to see that John Williams did not write the score. Although he did a decent job of scoring the first three films, his music is becoming old and repetitive and I grow weary of listening to him. I've played under John Williams and respect him as a composer (he's a terrible conductor, though), but his era is over. It was a very pleasant surprise to see that the score was written by Irish composer Patrick Doyle. The very first soundtrack CD I ever bought was for Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," which was written by Doyle, and he has always been one of my favorite film composers. His style, although thoroughly cinematic, is fresh and different, and I think he brings some much needed originality to the Harry Potter music. Doyle pushed himself beyond his typical style in this score, and some parts of reminiscent of Danny Elfman or Hans Zimmer while still maintaining their originality. He incorporates the well known "Hedwig's Theme" a few times to help connect this score to those of the previous movies, but thankfully he resisted using it too much. He did write some beautiful melodies, though, and he does an excellent job of underscoring the feeling of forboding in the story.
The one downside to this album are the "pop" songs at the end, which are laughably awful. In the movie these songs are performed by the Weird Sisters at the Winter Ball, but in reality I can't imagine anyone ever wanting to listen to songs this badly written. One can only hope that they were meant to be parodies and that someone wouldn't purposly write songs as cheesy as those.
Anyway, that's my review. Did anyone else here purchase the album? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

[Chubypig]

I haven't gotten the album, but what I want to know is: Who had to tell John Williams "Sorry, we don't want you any more"? That might have been a bit awkward. :p

[Verto]

I haven't gotten the album, but what I want to know is: Who had to tell John Williams "Sorry, we don't want you any more"? That might have been a bit awkward. :p

I would imagine (but could be wrong) that John Williams was glad to get away from it. Like mentioned above, writing soundtracks for THREE Harry Potter can drain someone's ability to create a unique feel for each movie, while retaining some ties.

[Chubypig]

I would imagine (but could be wrong) that John Williams was glad to get away from it. Like mentioned above, writing soundtracks for THREE Harry Potter can drain someone's ability to create a unique feel for each movie, while retaining some ties.

Well, he did it for Star Wars (6 movies) so, who knows...

[Lacero]

Just purchased the soundtrack to the "Goblet of Fire" movie from iTunes, and for the most part I am highly impressed by it. First of all I was surprised (but glad) to see that John Williams did not write the score. <snip> It was a very pleasant surprise to see that the score was written by Irish composer Patrick Doyle.
Thanks! Gonna have to check it out.

[homerjward]

$14.99 from iTunes? WTF?!
Oh well, I'm downloading it anyway. I'm sure it'll be good! :D

[Verto]

Well, he did it for Star Wars (6 movies) so, who knows...

And how much overlap is there? A lot.

[Seasought]

Hmm...I might have to check out a song or two if parts sound like Elfman or Zimmer (fan of both). Thanks for your thoughts as I might have overlooked it. :D

[DarkNetworks]

Just purchased the soundtrack to the "Goblet of Fire" movie from iTunes, and for the most part I am highly impressed by it. First of all I was surprised (but glad) to see that John Williams did not write the score. Although he did a decent job of scoring the first three films, his music is becoming old and repetitive and I grow weary of listening to him. I've played under John Williams and respect him as a composer (he's a terrible conductor, though), but his era is over. It was a very pleasant surprise to see that the score was written by Irish composer Patrick Doyle. The very first soundtrack CD I ever bought was for Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," which was written by Doyle, and he has always been one of my favorite film composers. His style, although thoroughly cinematic, is fresh and different, and I think he brings some much needed originality to the Harry Potter music. Doyle pushed himself beyond his typical style in this score, and some parts of reminiscent of Danny Elfman or Hans Zimmer while still maintaining their originality. He incorporates the well known "Hedwig's Theme" a few times to help connect this score to those of the previous movies, but thankfully he resisted using it too much. He did write some beautiful melodies, though, and he does an excellent job of underscoring the feeling of forboding in the story.
The one downside to this album are the "pop" songs at the end, which are laughably awful. In the movie these songs are performed by the Weird Sisters at the Winter Ball, but in reality I can't imagine anyone ever wanting to listen to songs this badly written. One can only hope that they were meant to be parodies and that someone wouldn't purposly write songs as cheesy as those.
Anyway, that's my review. Did anyone else here purchase the album? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

well i dunno i bought Goblet of Fire the song and thats it...it's pretty alright but what i really want is the song from the trailer...the 1st trailer on Apple's Website, not the latest one...the starting part of the song..anyone knows or have that song?

[JDOG_]

Pop music on a movie score? Blegh.

That makes about as much sense as hearing Limp Bizkit on the Gladiator soundtrack...

[Stampyhead]

Pop music on a movie score? Blegh.

That makes about as much sense as hearing Limp Bizkit on the Gladiator soundtrack...
Yeah, no kidding. I'm guessing, though, that the songs play into the story somehow, probably performed during the Yule Ball. I can't imagine them incorporating awful music like this for no reason.
I'm taking my niece to see the movie on Friday eve, so I'll find out then what they're up to.

[Stampyhead]

well i dunno i bought Goblet of Fire the song and thats it...it's pretty alright but what i really want is the song from the trailer...the 1st trailer on Apple's Website, not the latest one...the starting part of the song..anyone knows or have that song?
Do you mean the teaser trailer? I'd like to know what that music is too. It's not in the score for Goblet of Fire, at least not in what was released to the public. The second part of that trailer, though, is on the album. It's track #3, "The Quidditch World Cup."

[Kobushi]

Hmm...interesting review. I've found that Jon Williams can score movies quite well. However, I find that trying to listen to his scores as a stand alone album does not work nearly as well as it does for Danny Elfman or Hans Zimmer. The Harry Potter movies would be 100 times cooler if they'd have gotten the Tim Burton/Danny Elfman team together.

If you dig instrumental soundtracks, James Horner puts out a few good ones (Braveheart, Apollo 13)

[Stampyhead]

well i dunno i bought Goblet of Fire the song and thats it...it's pretty alright but what i really want is the song from the trailer...the 1st trailer on Apple's Website, not the latest one...the starting part of the song..anyone knows or have that song?
Ok, I figured it out. The first part of the teaser trailer music is from the Prisoner of Azkban soundtrack. If you have the CD (or have downloaded it from iTunes) it's track 20 "Finale."

[DarkNetworks]

Ok, I figured it out. The first part of the teaser trailer music is from the Prisoner of Azkban soundtrack. If you have the CD (or have downloaded it from iTunes) it's track 20 "Finale."

ok i'll check that out in a lil...

[JDOG_]

Ok, I figured it out. The first part of the teaser trailer music is from the Prisoner of Azkban soundtrack. If you have the CD (or have downloaded it from iTunes) it's track 20 "Finale."

Ah you're right. Looks like Williams still found a way to be involved even though it's not his score.

[DarkNetworks]

Ok, I figured it out. The first part of the teaser trailer music is from the Prisoner of Azkban soundtrack. If you have the CD (or have downloaded it from iTunes) it's track 20 "Finale."

huh?
i don't think it's tis one or am i wrong?
what i want is http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/harry_potter/thegobletoffire/hd/
the teaser yes...the very first song when u first see the teaser...the songs playing when u see the warner thing...i checked out finale of the prisoner of azkaban on iTunes just the preview but it doesn't really sounded the same...do u mind sending me the file so that i can listen to it?

[SummerBreeze]

From what I've heard it sounds great, even better than the last soundtracks. I'll have to buy it to be sure, but from right now it's very compelling. Can't wait til the movie comes out!

[Stampyhead]

huh?
i don't think it's tis one or am i wrong?
what i want is http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/harry_potter/thegobletoffire/hd/
the teaser yes...the very first song when u first see the teaser...the songs playing when u see the warner thing...i checked out finale of the prisoner of azkaban on iTunes just the preview but it doesn't really sounded the same...do u mind sending me the file so that i can listen to it?
Yep, it's there. It's not in the track preview, however. It's at the very end of the track. If you have the entire track put your playhead at exactly 32 seconds from the end you will hear it. The tympani roll at the very beginning of the teaser music is not in there, however. They must have added it to the music for the trailer to give it more impact.

[MankieApple]

Hmmm, this score is pretty cool but i can only base it on the 3 songs i got, although i think it lacks a certain something which i cant put my finger on...

John Williams is a soundtrack legend in my opinion, his best score personally would have to be Schindler's List which was beautiful. Hans Zimmer is also amazing, i love the Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Tears Of the Sun, Last Samurai soundtracks, they are so good.

[DarkNetworks]

Yep, it's there. It's not in the track preview, however. It's at the very end of the track. If you have the entire track put your playhead at exactly 32 seconds from the end you will hear it. The tympani roll at the very beginning of the teaser music is not in there, however. They must have added it to the music for the trailer to give it more impact.

uhm...ok...i'll check it out...

[DarkNetworks]

Yep, it's there. It's not in the track preview, however. It's at the very end of the track. If you have the entire track put your playhead at exactly 32 seconds from the end you will hear it. The tympani roll at the very beginning of the teaser music is not in there, however. They must have added it to the music for the trailer to give it more impact.

Awesome one bro...i just bought it from iTMS and yes it's there...:D

[Foxer]

The one downside to this album are the "pop" songs at the end, which are laughably awful. In the movie these songs are performed by the Weird Sisters at the Winter Ball, but in reality I can't imagine anyone ever wanting to listen to songs this badly written. One can only hope that they were meant to be parodies and that someone wouldn't purposly write songs as cheesy as those.


Dude! That's Jarvis Cocker singing those songs (don't know if he wrote them). Don't slam Jarvis. Ever. I live my life my WWJD.

What would Jarvis do?

[Maxiseller]

John Williams is a legand!

To the initial Poster:

Firstly, you have to appreciate that John Williams carries possibly THE most clout in terms of "name" in the soundtrack composition business. He's written some truly fantastic themes, clearly has entire knowledge of every nuience of the orchestra and it for this reason that he is an extremely esteemed composer!

John Williams score for the third film, Ill agree, was lacking - but you don't think the producers turned around and said, "Dear John, we don't want you" I'm pretty sure it would have been the other way around!! I feel sorry that we will miss John in this new film. Afterall, his original soundtrack to the first film is one of the most important reasons why the film was so magical.

Please, credit where it's due no?