Why do I Love the Harry Potter Music So Much?

I'm going through a phase: the Harry Potter phase. And while some may be shocked that I reach this phase at the grand old age of 17, the pull of J.K. Rowling's wizarding world has taken over. Though I am yet to read the books, the films have had a profound effect on me. For many of the Potter freaks this could be because of the intricate story lines, the fantastic sense of escapism, or the nostalgia of a kid believing in magic - but I'm drawn by the music. The first thing I think of when Harry Potter comes to mind it the twinkling notes of Hedwig's Theme. John Williams somewhat simple composition becomes a character in itself, as developed and as deep as any other role.

*This post was inspired by a video I found on the channel GoodBlood, you can see it here. Some of their ideas I have used in this post*

First introduced to Hedwig's Theme in Philosopher's Stone, the notes are stripped back and unaided, played on the celesta. It's this instrument that gives it a nursery-rhyme-like quality, with its ethereal chimes and elongated notes providing a sense of rush. This airy atmosphere puts the audience in the position of Hedwig, drawing correspondences to an undulating flight. The tune often goes unnoticed as it backs many of the film's crucial moments, so we subconsciously realise this is the Harry Potter theme. Therefore when it is played in later films, it provides huge nostalgia to the simpler days. This is why it proves so effective when, in later films, instruments are added and the original sound becomes more severe, we feel uncomfortable. A disruption to the childlike innocence has occurred - we are no longer safe or secure. Similarly, as pointed out in GoodBlood's video, the resemblance of the tune surrounding Gilderoy Lockhart in Chamber of Secrets is unnerving in it's stern, staccato finish. We don't know it, but we're already alerted to Lockhart's corruptness in the corrupted version of Hedwig's Theme. The way that Hedwig's Theme has been laced throughout the saga to evoke different feelings and provide different messages allows the music to become just as important to the film as the characters themselves.

J.K Rowling said in interviews before how Hedwig's death was necessary as a symbol of Harry's innocence being lost. This corresponds in her theme too, as what was known as a simplistic twinkling eight-bar sequence becomes increasingly masked by progressively rigorous instrumentalism, emerging sometimes lost amongst the surging roars. This comes to a significant apex in Deathly Hallows:Part II, when Ron and Hermione enter the chamber of secrets - as GoodBlood puts forward, the theme song returns to its original sounds, though is cut short with a gloomy shudder: innocence is dead. In these dark moments, the elongation of the of celesta seemingly no longer represents a mystical flight, more like drawn-out dread; the thought of bringing in any reference to innocence in this situation feels inconsiderate and frankly wrong. It appears, much like Hedwig herself, that Hedwig's Theme is symbolic as well, enhancing the sense of disaster in the epic finale. Harry Potter is as much a coming-of-age tale as it is one facing the battle between good and evil, pushed to the sidelines by the entrancing magical primary plot lines.

Though the theme song lacks words, it narrates Harry's story. It grows up with him as much as any other character, understands him as much as any other character, and, unlike the often shady roles in the series, it tells it like it is. Exciting, invigorating and illuminating: its a truly fantastic soundtrack.