PoA Music (possible spoilers)

[Rider of Rohan]

What did everyone think of the music for this film?

I personally felt that almost everything about this movie was better than the first two, and the music was no exception, even though it was written by the same composer (John Williams). I thought it was much more expressive and emotional. Some of the new themes in this music are just gorgeous, especially:
The music for Buckbeak's flight, with those beautiful soaring strings. Also Lupin's theme, played during the scenes when he's walking outside with Harry - it's very quiet and reflective. I also love the scene where Sirius escapes on Buckbeak. The combination of the music there and the image of them sillhouetted against the moon actually gave me goosebumps. And the music as Harry produces the Patronus by the lake is where I first really noticed the difference in the music. I think in the first two movies, a dramatic moment like that would have had dramatic, loud music. But quieting down the music there was the perfect choice, and made that moment into some really beautiful moviemaking.
I also liked the slightly medieval flavor to some of the music, and the jazzy, big-band style music for the Knight Bus. What did everyone else think of the scoring for this one?

[Serindë]

I noticed the change in the music right away, a precursor of things to come! And I loved it! I'm astonished John Williams composed it because I would not have guessed from listening to it. The first two scores seemed like he did them in his sleep; this one was unexpectedly outside the box. Shore influence, anyone? ;)

Agree with you totally about the examples you mentioned. Gorgeous!

I usually don't come out of a movie wanting to run right out and buy the soundtrack CD (except in the case of a certain trilogy, for which I bought the CDs before the movies came out :D ), but this time I did. Come out wanting to rush out and buy it, I mean. Haven't actually got it yet...

[lizz]

I absolutly loved the music. :)
And I went and bought the soundtrack immiadetly, something that I do not often :D

[Peregrinning Took]

I got the soundtrack, too, which I something I do for quite a few movies :D I love the Lupin theme (it seems to suit his character somehow - - kind of calm, taking things as they come) and I agree, the Buckbeak's flight music is awesome, too.

I also love the Time-Turner music, when it kind of sounds as though they're playing music backwards! :eek: It's hard to explain, but you can tell that they're going back in time.

[Rider of Rohan]

I completely agree, Peregrinning, the time-travel music is very neat. I love how in the background you can hear what sounds like a clock ticking - it's almost subconscious, but during the movie it really makes you aware of what's happening. Very neat effect!

I bought the soundtrack too, and it's great. :D

[Princess Aurora]

I immediately noticed the change in the music, and I have to agree that it was (pleasantly) surprising stuff for Mr. Williams. It's generally very easy to spot a Williams score, but this stuff had a different flare... a lot of the music had a more "medieval" quality, as people have mentioned.

My absolute favorite music moment (it happens twice, although it's sadly short both times) is the Time-Turner music, which some have already mentioned. PT, I understand what you mean about it sounding like it's playing backwards, that's a good description I hadn't thought of. It definitely has a sense of urgency to it, and I think it's great.

And the buckbeack flying music is wonderful as well. It sort of reminds me of the Hedwig theme from SS that I absolutely loved, with the running strings. Just great. :)

[Gwaewyn]

I also love the Time-Turner music, when it kind of sounds as though they're playing music backwards! It's hard to explain, but you can tell that they're going back in time.

Really? I have to listen to that one again. I've only heard it once.

Now, I haven't checked this out properly, I've only bought the soundtrack a couple days ago, but am I right that in the last piece all the themes and motifs are repeated in reverse order? I noticed that in the end there is the Knight Bus theme, followed by Aunt Marge being blown up, then the HP theme, and then a sort of final twinkle that may have been there in the beginning. It occurred to me that the pieces were sort of thrown together in a weird sequence, but there may just be a wonderful point to it.

The whole movie seems to have made the time aspect its theme -- think of those shots of the great clock -- and if the music for the credits were a sort of rewinding of the whole story, that would just be so brilliant.

[evereven]

Originally posted by Gwaewyn
Now, I haven't checked this out properly, I've only bought the soundtrack a couple days ago, but am I right that in the last piece all the themes and motifs are repeated in reverse order? I noticed that in the end there is the Knight Bus theme, followed by Aunt Marge being blown up, then the HP theme, and then a sort of final twinkle that may have been there in the beginning. It occurred to me that the pieces were sort of thrown together in a weird sequence, but there may just be a wonderful point to it.

Yes, they are played backwards. I liked that idea, with a little bit of each of the songs and then they way they end the whole OST w/ Hedwig's Theme (Lumos).
I only buy OSTs that are amazing (LOTR is my favorite ever though). It's the first OST of the 3 that I've bought. I think it's much better than the other two. Was this one composed by another composer or something, because this one just seems so much more... (can i say it?) magical? :D

<333

[Rider of Rohan]

evereven, I thought the way they played all the themes in reverse order was really neat, too. It sort of re-emphasizes the idea of time travel. I agree... the music for this film was very different, but it was also composed by John Williams, just like the other two. I'm not sure why the feel of the music changed so much - maybe the new director? - but I really liked it, a lot. It was so much more expressive, especially when it was quieter.