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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Prologue | |||
| 2. Harry's Wondrous World | |||
| 3. The Arrival of Baby Harry | |||
| 4. Visit to the Zoo and Letters from Hogwarts | |||
| 5. Diagon Alley and The Gringotts Vault | |||
| 6. Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters and The Journey to Hogwarts | |||
| 7. Entry into the Great Hall and The Banquet | |||
| 8. Mr. Longbottom Flies | |||
| 9. Hogwarts Forever! and The Moving Stairs | |||
| 10. The Norwegian Ridgeback and A Change of Season | |||
See all 19 tracks on this disc
| |||
| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Enhanced Cd Rom (CD-2 for Intl Only) | |||
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
You needn't see the film of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to appreciate the wonder, magic and fearful chills of JK Rowling's phenomenal bestseller in John Williams' outstanding score. Williams typically avoids the source material for the films he scores, but he reportedly derived great pleasure and inspiration from Rowling's first Harry Potter adventure, and created a perfect motif (fully expressed in "Hedwig's Theme") to dominate his score, first heard as a dreamy celeste waltz and embellished through myriad incarnations and moods, often with a sinister edge befitting the darker tones of Chris Columbus' direction. Fantastical allusions to Saint-Saëns and Tchaikovsky are evident (among others), while Williams' epic track is "Quidditch Match", a breathtaking frenzy to accompany the film's dazzling highlight. And while Williams occasionally flirts with self-plagiarism (with inevitable variants of his Hook and Star Wars themes), this is nevertheless a richly regal score that brilliantly evokes the mystery and magic of Harry Potter's world. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
2CD By John Williams // Cd2:Cdrom W/Games & Many Extra'S
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The music on this CD is really great, magical, evocative music. And, I would have thought, perfect for the film. After seeing the film, I realise what a genius John Williams is; his music tells the story perfectly, and is perfect for what's happening on screen.
But, there is a LOT of music in the film that isn't on the CD, and is actually a lot better than the music on the CD. And, curiously enough, there's a lot of music on the CD which isn't in the film. Diagon Alley, for instance, has two completely different pieces on the CD and in the film. As does the Great Hall, and, to a certain extent, christmas. The music in the film is a lot better than the music on this CD, but it's still a really great CD to have. One of John Williams' best!
But, there is a LOT of music in the film that isn't on the CD, and is actually a lot better than the music on the CD. And, curiously enough, there's a lot of music on the CD which isn't in the film. Diagon Alley, for instance, has two completely different pieces on the CD and in the film. As does the Great Hall, and, to a certain extent, christmas. The music in the film is a lot better than the music on this CD, but it's still a really great CD to have. One of John Williams' best!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
First off, I have to admit that this score *is* Williams-repetitive, especially when comparing it to the score for Star Wars Episode 1. However, I don't think that this is a bad thing. It is by no means as repetitive as some of James Horner's works, and *does* have some unique elements in it's make up.
Most beautiful, and worth the cost of the entire CD on their own, are "Hedwig's Theme" (as everyone recognises from the HP trailer) and "Harry's Wondrous World". Both are magical masterpieces, and represent everything brilliant about Rowling's first book. From then on, you meet various experiments such as the Medieval-style "Diagon Alley" & clinky "Hogwarts Forever!". More surprises follow in the ghostly-vocals singing carols in "Christmas at Hogwarts" and the self-explanatory "Fluffy's Harp". Among all of these is an ongoing list of themes showing Williams at his best.
The CD as a whole is altogether very... "Williams"! It isn't a bad thing! I love this score; it's no jewel, but it's pure gold. Compared to Howard Shore's "Fellowship of the Ring", it sounds very twinkly & fantastical; not as serious or deep, but still exceptionally emotional & of the quality expected of such a wonderful composer. A much treasured album.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Once more John Williams keeps the Orchestral flag flying for film scores, as only he, Hans Zimmer and a few others really know how to nowadays. Great orchestrartions, the CD almost tells the HP story itself.
There are a couple of bits I didn't like, at times John Willams seems to have mistaken the Magic of Hogwarts for the magic of christmas as the music reminds you of the 'Home Alone' theme tunes now and then (Which JW also composed ofcourse), there are also moments where I am reminded of the 'Otho Gunga' track from 'The Phantom Menace', but this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
There are a couple of bits I didn't like, at times John Willams seems to have mistaken the Magic of Hogwarts for the magic of christmas as the music reminds you of the 'Home Alone' theme tunes now and then (Which JW also composed ofcourse), there are also moments where I am reminded of the 'Otho Gunga' track from 'The Phantom Menace', but this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
All in all however, JW has excelled himself with this soundtrack which combines the grand feeling of such works as Tchaikovsky's 5th Sympohony with the power and dramaticism of a Wagner epic.
Keep writing JW!! The film industry needs you!!
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quality soundtrack,but something's missing !
Being a great fan of all the Harry Potter movies I have bought all the soundtrack CDs. Unfortunately when I first played this cd I was dismayed to find that one of my favourite... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Stephen Zarczynski
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classical.
Everytime I listen to John Williams score for this movies I am transported to the magical world of Harry Potter. Definitively worth buying.
Published 4 months ago by Natan Baessi
4.0 out of 5 stars
The first and one of the best.
This is one of the finest soundtracks in the whole Potter collection of soundtracks. It forms the musical basis of the whole epic saga - Harry, a boy from nowhere thrust into the... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Alexander J. Dunn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Philosopher's Stone Soundtrack
This is an awesome product. It completes my collection of the first 6 soundtracks. Recommend it to everyone.
Can't wait for the Deathly Hallows movie!!!
Can't wait for the Deathly Hallows movie!!!
Published on 18 July 2010 by Matt
3.0 out of 5 stars
John Williams is a genius!
Just when you think he has run out of ideas for film music does he come up with the Harry Potter series. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2010 by M. Paynter
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad, but why isn't it complete?
If you like the music of John Williams, then you'll be quite happy with this disc. If, however, you buy it because you liked the music in the film, then prepare to be ever so... Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2005 by H.L. Berry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enter into the magical world of Harry Potter...
John Williams is again at his best with his Harry Potter compositions.
Stick the CD in the hi-fi and you're off - transported into Harry's magical world. Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2003 by pacem et amorem
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly Magical
This is a superb effort from John Williams and ranks among his best. It has it all; memorable themes, a brilliant suite in 'Hedwig's Theme', excellent action music in 'Quidditch... Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2003 by R. Penna
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Magical
All though I am coming up to 21 years of age I have read all Harry Potter books, seen both films and I have just previously ordered the Harry Potter and chamber of secrets film... Read more
Published on 19 July 2003 by Sarah
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magical Soundtrack
John Williams' Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Soundtrack is similar in many ways to some of his other famous soundtracks. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2003 by Kona
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