USU Music Theory Fun: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The main theme, Hedwig's Theme, is not as prevalent in the fifth movie which caught me off guard. It is really only heard a few times throughout the movie. But Nicholas Hooper uses it in very interesting ways without over using it.

The very first time is at the very beginning when the title is showing up, which is not surprising because it gets the viewer into the "magic of Harry Potter" mood. Although this time it sounds sad and looming. It is slower with the theme in the strings with long high sustained chords that are kinda creepy. It's not quite the same as in the first movie, it is more gloomy with a hint of impending doom (aka He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned... )

We hear part of the theme twice in the next few scenes. The first is right after Harry sends away the dementors. I find this significant and necessary because it is the first time that magic is used in the movie but it is very hidden and fragmented. 4:06 The next time we hear a fraction of it is when Mrs. Fig is walking Harry home after the attack but it is in the celeste and hardly noticeable. 5:15

The next time we hear the full theme is when Harry, Ron, and Hermione are on the train to Hogwarts. This time it sounds closer to the innocent magical theme from the first few movies. The strings are playing running 16th notes again but in a recognizable pattern. The melody comes on top of the strings and is played in somewhat of a canon. The theme is played in a sequence of instruments and to my ear sounded like it changed from minor to major. This makes me think that Harry is excited to go back to Hogwarts and that maybe, just maybe, things will make sense and everything will be better again. 27:39

Or maybe not....

Because the next time the theme is heard it is after a very "dun dun dun!" moment when Hermione explains that the ministry is interfering at Hogwarts. It is really only the first half phrase of the theme and then cuts to a gloomy looking hogwarts. 32:37

One of the major moments that changes the course of the movie is when Hermione suggest that Harry teach them how to defend themselves against the dark arts because Mean Old Umbridge won't teach them anything useful. Since this is such a pivotal part of the movie the theme of course comes back. This time it is in the flute which sounds eerily hopeful. 52:45

The last time we hear the theme is after a long and dark fight against both Umbridge and the Death Eaters. It only comes back after the fight when Harry is talking to Dumbledore and figures out what the prophesy means. The melody sounds like a haunting realization. 2:05:10

Don't worry! I have more random things I noticed while watching the movie with the music specifically in mind!

First of all, Nicholas Hooper has created some brilliant themes for this movie. Three of my favorites are "Fireworks," "Flight of the Order of the Phoenix," and "Professor Umbridge." Fireworks is just fun and completely captures Fred and George Weasley. The Order of the Phoenix theme is also very necessary and very heroic sounding. It is played only twice in the movie. The first time is when the Order saves Harry from his Aunt and Uncles house, and again when "Dumbledor's Army" leaves Hogwarts to go save Sirius Black. This could signify that these students are the next Order of the Phoenix. Umbridge's theme also completely captures her by being girly and completely annoying! Also it is played over and over in a long montage of evil Umbridge decrees... all of this together makes you want to strangle her! My hat is off to you Nicholas Hooper for this amazing characterization theme!

Second, Nicholas Hooper's soundtrack is actually quite thin. In the movie I notices the silence way more than I noticed the music. He made sure that every sound was with intention and purpose. Most of the time though, especially in the fighting scenes, there was silence. This, to me, got me to the edge of my seat wondering what in the world was going to happen next.. because anything could happen!

Last I will comment on how Nicholas Hooper uses the french horn and string combo. I noticed a few times throughout the movie that Nicholas Hooper would give the strings fast 16th notes and then add a slow french horn melody. Now this may not seem significant but when you think about it, that is exactly what Hedwig's theme is. So every time he used this combination I was expecting the main theme to come again... but it didn't... but yet I was still thinking of the theme in my head... BRILLIANT! Nicholas Hooper was able to allude to the theme without actually playing it. To my mind it can be seen as a metaphor for the state of the magical community. Magic is still there... but tainted and without the wondrous quality to it anymore.

Overall I think Nicholas Hooper did a great job! All the new themes he brought in were absolutely necessary but he still kept the feeling of the main theme and the magical world of Harry Potter in our hearts.

~Becca

Sound Track Links:

"Another Story" (Main theme)