Customer Reviews

Essential Harry Potter Film Music Collection

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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. =)

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)

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.

Normally I have really good luck on Amazon. I was so excited to order this CD, I couldn't wait for it to arrive. However, when I opened the bubble-wrap package, the CD case was crushed into a lot of little pieces. Luckily the CD's weren't damaged, but now I need to get a new case... Not impressed with the shipping of this item... AT ALL!!

Rec'd this after a month of waiting (not the vendor if you are in a hurry) but I highly recommend this CD. All the essential Potter music very well done.

I was only familiar with the most popular of musical tracks from the Harry Potter movies, and purchased the CD to listen to them. It has proven to be great fun to figure out the movie and scene origins of the different pieces. One really gets a sense of how the subtleties of mood and feelings are crafted into the compositions. My family and I have enjoyed listening and learning more about the variety of music created for this wonderful series.

I must say, after reading some of the reviews posted on this CD, I was wondering if I would be disappointed. I need not have worried. This CD was everything I hoped it would be. I do have the CD of original music from the first movie, and I honestly couldn't tell the difference. I am sure I will wear it out and then buy another. This is fabulous music. Highly recommended.

Since I already own a copy of this orchestra's music for the "Lord of the Rings" films, I was familiar with their style and quality. I wanted a compilation of music from the Potter films rather than buying an album for each film, so this album admirably fills the bill. Excellent quality of playing by the orchestra and very accurate to the scores. The selections are just about right to provide the listener with the most familiar selections from each film.

the city of prague philharmonic orchestra is one of the greatest orchestra's in the world all the songs from the first five potter films are fantastic buy this recording if your a huge harry potter fan or classical fan you wont be sorry

While some of this recording of the Harry Potter music are faithful to the original soundtracks, many of the songs sound like they were conducted with the tempo set too slow. The result is that the songs sound more like a rehearsal of the music that they were still learning instead of a finished product.

Do yourself a favor and buy the original soundtracks, they are a superior recording of the music.