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. Though Williams only scored the first three films, several motifs that he created have been reprised and incorporated into the remaining scores, in particular "Hedwig's Theme", which can be heard in all eight films. Other musicians credited with writing the Harry Potter 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. J. Scott Rakozy, Peter Murray, and Chuck E. Myers "Sea" composed the music for Hogwarts Legacy.
Overview Year Title Composer Conductor Orchestrator Orchestra 2001Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone John Williams John Williams John WilliamsConrad PopeAlexander CourageJohn NeufeldEddie KaramPete AnthonyLarry Rench London Session Orchestra 2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets William Ross Conrad PopeEddie KaramPete Anthony London Symphony Orchestra 2004 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban John Williams Conrad PopeEddie Karam London Session Orchestra 2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Patrick Doyle James Shearman Patrick DoyleJames ShearmanLawrence AshmoreJohn BellBrad DechterNicole NevinJames McWilliam London Symphony Orchestra 2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Nicholas Hooper Alastair King Nicholas Hooper Alastair KingSimon WhitesideGeoff AlexanderJulian KershawBradley MilesChamber Orchestra of London 2009 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Nicholas HooperAlastair King Alastair KingJeff AtmajianSimon WhitesideDaryl GriffithBradley Farmer 2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Alexandre Desplat Alexandre DesplatConrad PopeJean-Pascal BeintusClifford TasnerRichard StewartNan SchwartzAlejandro de la Llosa London Symphony Orchestra 2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Alexandre DesplatConrad PopeJean-Pascal BeintusClifford TasnerBill NewlinNan SchwartzAlejandro de la Llosa
Themes and motifs
Throughout the series, each composer created themes for particular characters, items, locations, and ideas. Several themes can be heard in films subsequent to the one they were written for, although very few lasted for the entire film series.
First appearance in The Philosopher's Stone
Theme Description Scores heard in Hedwig's Theme The dominant theme closely identified with and prominently used in all eight Harry Potter films. Though titled "Hedwig's Theme", it does not always specifically represent Hedwig, but rather the wider idea of magic and the Wizarding World franchise. Its concert suite is frequently performed by musicians and ensembles. The Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Family Portrait Represents Harry's parents and his new family in Hogwarts. The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (Tracked) Harry's Wondrous World Associated with Harry and his friendships with Ron and Hermione. The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Half-Blood Prince (recording sessions only) and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (Tracked) Nimbus 2000 Associated with the Nimbus 2000, flying, and mischief. The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Voldemort's Theme A two-part theme associated with the main antagonist, Lord Voldemort The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets 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 (album only) and The Chamber of Secrets Hogwarts Forever A thematic representation of Hogwarts The Philosopher's Stone Quidditch Fanfare Represents the commencement of quidditch matches. The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets Christmas at Hogwarts Associated with the arrival of winter and Christmas. 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 The Flying Keys Represents flying magical objects and creatures; such as the flying keys in the first film, and Cornish Pixies and the bludger in the second film. The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets The Banquet Fanfare Music used during banquet scenes. The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets The Great Hall Fanfare Theme associated with the discovery of the amazing wizarding world. Used for the discoveries of Diagon Alley (in the movie), Hogwarts and the Great Hall (and during the sorting of Hermione).The Philosopher's Stone Ron Weasley's Motif Whimsical theme used to represent the lightness of Ron.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets Weasley's Family Comical theme heard during family scenes, notably the train station scenes.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets Comical Theme Used for Hagrid's dragon and Ron's eat slugs curse.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets Revelation Theme Used with the first appearance of the Chessboard Chamber and the Chamber of Secrets. First heard when Filch and Snape discover that someone was in the restricted library in the first movie. The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets The Sneaking Around Theme Heard with the first appearance of Dumbledore out of the mist; the Golden Trio visiting Hagrid in the middle of the night; the approach of the flying car; and Harry finding Nearly Headless Nick & Justin Finch-Fletchley petrified.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets Dursley's Theme Comical theme associated with the Dursleys. The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets Ghosts' Motif Music heard when the ghosts appear. Also used in Moaning Myrtle's theme.The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets Invisibility Cloak Theme Associated with the cloak during its use in the first two films. Also used when Harry is writing to Tom Riddle in the diary, and when Tom starts explaining to Harry the strange events that happened during school year in the second film. Heard very briefly in the third film when Harry puts on the cloak in the Honeydukes cellar.The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets and The Prisoner of Azkaban Fluffy's Harp Music played by the harp in the first film, which was the instrument used to put Fluffy to sleep. The Philosopher's StoneLeaving HogwartsMusic played when Harry gets on the train.The Philosopher's Stone, The Chamber of Secrets and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2
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 Flourish & Blotts and the eponymous 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 Eight notes theme (one for each leg) associated with Aragog's spiders. A similar theme is heard in Munich (2005), which Williams was already scheduled for and had potentially started to develop. The Chamber of Secrets Lucius Malfoy's Theme Conspiracy theme associated with Malfoy. It is based on a similar theme heard in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. The Chamber of Secrets Errol the Owl Associated with the pet owl of the Weasley family. The Chamber of Secrets Basilisk Duel Motif Associated with Harry's battle with the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets 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 Sirius Black's Theme 3-note motif that represents Sirius Black as a villainous character. 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. Also used when Harry and Hermione rescue Sirius Black. The Prisoner of Azkaban Quidditch Motif Secondary theme used to represent Quidditch. Reprised by Nicholas Hooper in The Half-Blood Prince during Ron's Quidditch success. The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Half-Blood Prince Patronus Theme Associated with the Patronus Charm. The Prisoner of Azkaban Marauders' Motif Associated with Sirius Black in animal form, Remus Lupin in werewolf form, and the Marauders' Map itself. Much like Peter Pettigrew's Theme, it uses primarily chromatic neighbours. The Prisoner of Azkaban Betrayal Theme Represents Harry's emotional response upon learning his parents were betrayed and Lupin's resignation. The Prisoner of Azkaban Peter Pettigrew's Theme Represents Peter Pettigrew. A similar theme is heard in Munich (2005), which Williams was working on concurrently. The Prisoner of Azkaban, The Order of the Phoenix (recording sessions only) and The Half-Blood Prince
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 and The Order of the Phoenix 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 Durmstrang Theme Thematic identity for Viktor Krum and Durmstrang. Also used for the Bulgarian Quidditch team. The Goblet of Fire Beauxbatons Theme Thematic identity for Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. The Goblet of FireMoaning Myrtle's ThemeNew theme for Moaning Myrtle. Uses similar orchestration to Williams's original theme for the same character.The Goblet of FireMerpeople's ThemeAssociated with the Merpeople and the Second Task. First heard when Harry opens the golden egg underwater, and again when he is competing in the task.The Goblet of Fire
First appearance in The Order of the Phoenix
Theme Description Scores Heard in Professor Umbridge's Theme Represents Hogwarts Professor Dolores Umbridge. The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince Possession Theme Associated with Voldemort and his attempt to possess Harry. The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Theme Associated with the antics of Fred and George Weasley. The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince Dumbledore's Army Theme Represents Dumbledore's Army and the bonding of friends. The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince (tracked) Kiss Theme Represents Harry's love and later his friendship. The Order of the Phoenix and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Ministry of Magic Theme Represents the Ministry of Magic. Bears similarities in orchestration to Alexandre Desplat's theme for the Ministry in The Deathly Hallows – Part 1. The Order of the Phoenix
First appearance in The Half-Blood Prince