Essential Harry Potter Film Music Collection [Soundtrack]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 16, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Silva America
• ASIN: B000WGY44A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,530 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't do it - great music, horrible presentation, April 14, 2009

By 

J. Cardello - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Essential Harry Potter Film Music Collection (Audio CD)

You will be far better off buying the original soundtracks, not this poorly-recorded compilation. The orchestra you hear on these CDs is the City of Prague Philharmonic, and I'm sorry, but the performance is really below par, with the brass being particularly horrific to listen to in some passages. The original recordings are a vast improvement in nearly every way, and well worth the money, particularly in the case of the first and third films. Does it really matter? If you don't listen to much orchestral music, there's a chance you won't hear much wrong if you just listen to these re-recordings. But you'll sure as heck hear what's RIGHT if you buy the originals. =)

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Essential ... Harry Potter ... Silva Screen (2008)", September 16, 2008

By 

J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Essential Harry Potter Film Music Collection (Audio CD)

Silva Screen Records LTD presents "HARRY POTTER: THE ESSENTIAL" (2008) -- Performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Fitzpatrick and Nic Raine --- The Mid Herts Youth Choir conducted by Peter Twitchin --- Presenting another installment in Silva Screen's hugely successful Essential series --- Featuring music from all five Harry Potter Films - Philosopher's Stone, Chamber Of Secrets, Prisoner Of Azkaban, Goblet Of Fire and Order of the Phoenix on 2 CDs.

Different composers have been involved in writing the music for the Harry Potter films --- The scores for the first, second and third movies were composed by John Williams (The second feature's score was adapted and conducted by William Ross) --- Patrick Doyle composed the score for the fourth film, while the fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, was scored by Nicholas Hooper.

The first two movies utilise "leitmotif", a technique John Williams has used in earlier film series, where themes are introduced representing particular characters, objects or places --- The third and fourth movies also introduce the audience to new themes specific to the action of those films --- The only theme appearing in all five scores is Williams' "Hedwig's Theme".

The first and third movies were nominated for Academy Awards for best dramatic score.

Composed by John Williams, Patrick Doyle and Nicholas Hooper --- Performed by the magical City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

Disc 1
1. Hedwig's Theme (04:52)
2. Christmas At Hogwarts (01:46)
3. Nimbus 2000 (02:25)
4. Leaving Hogwarts (02:19)
5. Harry's Wondrous World (05:01)
6. Dobby The House Elf (03:26)
7. Fawkes The Phoenix (03:36)
8. The Chamber Of Secrets (04:13)
9. Gilderoy Lockhart (02:00)
10. Reunion Of Friends (05:46)
11. Witches, Wands And Wizards (05:27)
12. A Window To The Past (03:50)
13. Aunt Marge's Waltz (02:22)
14. The Knight Bus (02:49)
15. The Prisoner Of Azkaban Suite (06:58)
16. Double Trouble (02:51)
Tracks 1-16 composed by John Williams

Disc 2
1. Quidditch World Cup / The Foreigners Arrive (02:31)
2. Neville's Waltz (01:45)
3. Harry In Winter (03:10)
4. The Golden Egg (07:24)
5. The Hogwarts March (02:55)
6. The Potter Waltz (02:27)
7. The Black Lake (05:26)
8. Another Year Ends (02:18)
9. The Hogwarts Hymn (02:53)
Tracks 1-9 composed by Patrick Doyle
10. A Journey To Hogwarts / Fireworks (03:42)
11. Sirius Deception / Dumbledore's Army (05:27)
12. Professor Umbridge (02:45)
13. Flight Of The Order Of The Phoenix (01:31)
14. Loved Ones And Leaving (04:08)
Tracks 10-14 composed by Nicholas Hooper
15. Hedwig's Theme - Reprise (04:52)
Composed by John Williams

Must ask the following to take a bow ~ James Fitzpatrick (Producers), always in their pitching, Reynold da Silva (executive producer), James Fitzpatrick and Nic Raine performing the conducting duties, a tremendous asset to every project they undertake --- and the label which made it all possible -- Silva America.

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Silva America 1251 ~ (9/16/2008)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for price, September 10, 2010

By 

H. Kidd "Disney Fan" (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Essential Harry Potter Film Music Collection (Audio CD)

The music selections are good from among the movies they pulled from. The music is good, but not as "magical" as the authentic score from Warner Bros. because the quality of the musicians or recording isn't super, but it isn't bad. But the price is great, so if you aren't incredibly picky about owning the perfect recording, and you want to hear most of the popular melodies from Harry Potter, this is for you. It is certainly good enough for kids, if you are buying this for a child, I doubt they will hear the difference. My kids loved it.