MOVIE Hedwig's Theme

[Steve Vander Ark]

No: HPFGUIDX 26673

The first piece of music we are given from the upcoming film score by 
John Williams is Hedwig's Theme. It seems a bit trite to call 
it "haunting," but that is a perfect word to describe it, at least at 
the beginning, where the tune trickles from the celeste, playing all 
alone in what one reviewer called "a loopy waltz." This theme is 
played once, then the tinkling bells spill out of the theme and into 
a swirling, musical whirlpool which sounds for all the world like a 
magic wand when Flitwick says "Alright, class, swish and flick..."

The orchestra then takes up the theme and runs with it, adding layers 
of strings, as the celeste continues to add magic in the background. 
A fanfare breaks out, only to be swirled back up into the celeste's 
spell, and then the orchestra dies away. In the momentary hush the 
magic still dances in our ears, almost on tiptoes, anticipating, 
until the orchestra comes back in with a decisive shout, and we're 
off and running.

The mood has gone from haunting to downright menacing and the tempo 
has changed from a waltz to a march. The horns lead the charge with 
another fanfare, a variation on the main theme. Then the mood changes 
once again as the strings play yet another variation on the theme, 
this time in the romantic mode that Williams used so often in the 
music for Star Wars, now painted in darker and faster tones. 

Then the strings do what strings always do in Williams scores: 
cartwheel and spin and carry us back to the fanfare, bright with 
trumpets. The fanfare is then repeated with more strings, and we 
notice that the celeste's magic is suddenly back, reaching in from 
somewhere outside of the main themes, reminding us of where we came 
from. The romantic variation is repeated as well; then we're reminded 
of the fanfare, this time mellower, from the trombones and horns. The 
main theme comes back, racing with all the bells and whistles and 
strings and horns, building wildly to the conclusion...

...and the celeste is back, still there, whispering along with the 
piccolo until the orchestra gives it's final exclamation, and the 
piece is done.

This piece is vintage John Williams. Veteran film score buffs will be 
able to pick out moments which seem to be lifted note for note from 
previous works. But, like he did with the choir in the Duel of the 
Fates from the Phantom Menace score, Williams brings in the celeste 
as a new device, added to his usual repertoire, the 
signature "Potter" bit that sets this music apart. It will be 
interesting to hear what other themes he develops and whether he 
leans as much on his previous work and styles. 

All in all, this theme is a wonderfully listenable piece of music 
which evokes all the right feelings for the Potter universe. 

NOTE: I have worked out the main theme on the piano. I had to combine 
the celeste part from this version of the theme with some of the 
music from the trailer (which is not the same, by the way) in order 
to make it seem complete. While I can play the fanfare as well, 
although not perfectly, I haven't taken the time to work out the 
romantic veriation at all. One of these days I'll transcribe it the 
whole thing and post it. When I get time. Ha ha ha.

Steve Vander Ark
The Harry Potter Lexicon
http://www.i2k.com/~svderark/lexicon