Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
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 Review
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
CD 1 features John Williams's music from and inspired by the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. CD 2 is a special CD-ROM comprising: Electronic Arts Harry Potter video game preview; LEGO video game preview; English-language film trailer; Harry Potter Poster Gallery (three film posters which can be printed out in colour); Wallpaper (image of Harry and Hagrid).
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 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!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
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!!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 23 days ago by Alexander J. Dunn
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 22 months ago by Matt
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
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
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 hmcni
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
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
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
Just close your eyes and dream...
I am not a great lover of the music of John Williams, but here I make an exception. Perhaps my feelings for this score are influenced by the images (the film), and not just the... Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2002 by Mr. A. J. Allum
Sheer Magic!
While watching Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone I kept thinking who did the music? It really helped make the film. Read more
Published on 9 July 2002
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
