CORRECTION: at 6:16, there should be one flat (Bb) in both key signatures ,as the scale is D Aeolian, not D Dorian. thank you to the viewer who pointed this out for me also, if you enjoy the content and are feeling generous, consider supporting the channel through a one-time contribution (no subscription or anything) on my Buy Me a Coffee page: buymeacoffee.com/scomusic thanks so much!
Hey @scommon, forgive me for asking, but what is that theme ending the outtro?? I simply can't remember who its composer is. Is it one of the Russians? Going mad here trying to find it, so if you could help me out, it'd be much appreciated. Thanks!
To be honest, i'm upset they never reused this theme after HP3 , It would have been so emotional to hear it especially in the 5th movie since Sirius appear a lot on this one!
Yes it should've been played for Sirius's death and at the end when Harry meets his parents and Remus and Sirius thorough the resurrection stone... It is the marauders' theme, and it should've been played for them... Maybe even a spooky version of it when Pettigrew died
Wasn’t this theme in the order of the phoenix too? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe this theme was used at the scene when sirius told harry, “one day when all of this is over, we will be a real family”, smtg in that line 🤔
Месяц назад+8
There’s a subtle variation for that in the beginning/transition of Hog’s Head scene in Order of Phoenix. But maybe I am wrong :)
No!!!!! Each movie of Harry Potter used to have unique themes, that gave personality to every movie, but then in the last 2 movies they re used some themes and made those movies meh, felt rushed
Indeed forgetting about this theme is quite the impossibility! Though I'm partial to Fawkes too and wished both of them plus the Family Theme from the first movie had been maintained throughout the rest of the series.
In my youth group in church we once introduced each other to our favourite music. I chose "Window to the Past" and played it for the others. To this day it touches my soul every time I hear it. I don't know how else to describe what I feel when I hear this piece of music.
In my personal opinion, the score of the third Harry Potter is the best score, John Williams has ever composed for a single film. He had the groundwork already laid with the first two films. But when Cuaron took over and made the third part, i think, he had a different, not so consumer-friendly approach to make a film. He made the most artistic and risky Harry Potter feature in my Opinion So this influenced Williams to get all in, too. A Window to the Past is also my favorite Theme ...
It's the best movie in the franchise and you're absolutely right those two men are the reason why. They weren't afraid to lean into the bleak and brooding.
I totally agree. The music accompanying the scene where Harry realizes that he was the one chasing the dementors away and not his father up to the flight on buckbeaks to free Sirius till the return of Harry and Hermione to the hospital is just disrespectacularly phenomenal. I love orchestra only thanks to John William the great!
A Window to the Past really captured a feeling that permeates the entire book series, but barely makes it into the films: the grief and sadness for what has been lost and what will never be. It reminds me of Williams's Binary Sunset in its quiet yearning.
"A Window to The Past" really is my favorite Harry Potter theme. There is something in it who brings an atmosphere of "Scotland". It is mystical and nostalgic. Melancholic at the right amount. Makes me dream about the Highlands and its past. Very magical!
I think I'm going to spend the rest of my life chasing the feeling this soundtrack to H3 gives me. But especially Window to the Past and Secrets of the Castle. No one talks about it enough. As someone from Ireland, it reminds me of my childhood not just because of the movies but because of the trips I'd go on as a kid
I remember when I was 12 and looking up what instrument played the melody . The recorder used is the nostalgia we all hear . 3rd hp movie had the best music . My list is 3,1,2,4,5,6. Another great John Williams soundtrack is memoirs of a geisha . As a kid it opened my ears to eastern classical music . And Coltrane
Me as well. I'm assuming the composers wait til the film is complete and then watch it, envisioning a score as the film goes along? Otherwise, I don't know how else a score can be so perfectly crafted to match a scene of a film.
@@ComedyBros5 I /think/ so. I can't think of any specific scenes off the top of my head, but I know there's definitely been clips of orchestras recording the soundtrack while watermarked versions of the scene play on a nearby screen. I think I've seen it for HP, but I know there's other movies that do the same
@@ComedyBros5the score for the video game elder scrolls 5 Skyrim was actually created before the game. And I think that is the best score ever made. The creator of the game wanted the score to inspire the world. Not the other way around.
This is actually my favorite theme out of the entire series. It's so sad and so beautiful. I am currently grieving someone and it represents my sadness and nostalgia pretty well.
@ Thank you so much. I am very hopeful that I will get through this. I've grieved someone before, and I got to the point in which that pain transformed into pure love and happiness. Their memory wasn't a dementor anymore, it was the thought I used to cast my patronus. So I am hopeful it will happen this time; whenever I am ready.
I'm 28 years old and tearing up a bit to this theme. Life has changed so much since the Harry Potter days of my childhood. From growing up in rural Michigan to finding my way living and traveling through Europe, it can be hard to find an anchor to my childhood, origins, just my past life in general. I have my family, but I'm not quite close to them. I only talk to one person from high school. All my family has left my hometown, save an uncle and aunt, and I have no idea when I'll be back to visit. But there's something about Harry Potter, and especially the music, that can bring me back to my childhood. It helps me remember my roots and where I come from, and the MAGIC that I lived in as a child. I have a strong feeling this fall/winter I'll be listening to the HP soundtracks quite a bit. Thank you for the video, I'm very happy it showed up on my recommendations.
I am really into the Harry Potter music. I listen to it oftentimes when studying. And I never have anyone to talk to about it. It hurts sometimes when everyone just shrugs their shoulders about a topic that you are passionate about 🫤 So thank you so much for making a video on this. I also love A Window to the Past. It's definitely one of my top three HP themes
@@lenskihe I wrote my bachelor thesis about the musical consistency in the Harry Potter scores 😊 If you like harry potter content, keep an eye on my channel ;) there already sre some videos such as an interview with composer of hp5 and hp6 Nicholas Hooper as well as a Hedwigs Theme supercut, but there is a lot more planned in the future ;)
I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one! I'm a great fan of Harry Potter, but as a musician as well, it hurts to only see people think about Hedwig's Theme when you talks bout Harry Potter music.
@@frederiqueschouterenI'm doing a film music course at uni, and it's amazing because I'd say most people know about the Harry Potter soundtracks and all of the composers
Exactly right. I don't understand why John Williams wasn't brought back for the rest of the series! And the next best composer of the series is Patrick Doyle with Goblet of Fire. I love the score to that film.
@@ComedyBros5 I've heard he was becoming overworked but I'm not sure that's true. I mean yes he was taking on a LOT of projects all at once but the Harry Potter films weren't yearly, production line affairs. I wish they had somehow offered him more money to take on less other projects and become a "full time" Harry Potter composer somehow
@@visionist7 That would've been the smart thing to do so that the score would've stayed consistent throughout. That's also how I feel about the director situation. They should've kept Alfonso Cuaron and if they couldn't find a way to keep him, get Mike Newell. My two favorite films of the series are Azkaban and Goblet of Fire. I feel like these films would've been much better had they kept they same crew on each one. Have you heard anything about the HBO Harry Potter show that's in the works? How do you feel about that?
@ComedyBros5 I haven't followed the news (and rumours/gossip) day to day but the latest was that the writer (or one of the writers) hadn't read all the books, which was making people angsty until it was revealed he hadn't read them _yet_ lol. I know they finalised the actors for the golden trio a few days ago. Their lives are about to change in a big big way, we won't know their names until spring though.
@@visionist7 Ahhhh that's a terrible sign. Guess all we can do is wait til casting announcements to give us a better idea of how it might turn out. Sure how they play this right.
This theme is used in the "Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle" show in the Universal Studios Parks, right when everything seems lost and Dumbledore blasts his phrase “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” and then Harry's deer patronus appears floating in the sky thanks to drones. That was back in 2019 were drones in shows were new and rare. That, combined with this haunting melody and the powerful bass line was sure to wow the audience and let and audible gasp. I cry anytime I watch a video of it (yet I never saw the show in person). Truly an otherworldly moment.
It was criminal to cut the theme at 5:37, I really appreciate this content :) always love your music analyses! I appreciate that you put the score on screen also in such a dynamic way.
I'll die on this hill: Prisoner of Azkaban has the best soundtrack of the HP movies. This theme in particular is such a beautiful one and I have to listen to it anytime it comes on my playlists! Thank you for making such a great, in-depth video about this, it's so cool seeing someone talk about a song I appreciate so much and yet see so little about.
The first time I felt this melody was when Harry first casts his patronus charm, the stagg. The way the horns softly but triumphantly play the melody over the harmonising choir paired with the pulsing light from Harry's wand really stuck out to me. I couldnt get over how beautiful it was.
The reason Williams notated in 6/8 and then 9/8 is because that is how the melody is felt and read. As you see in the 6/8 section there are 2 groupings of 2 notes, the next bar (9/8) begins with the same rhythmic grouping but then because Williams wanted to have an extended held note he ends each melodic section on a dotted half note (a creative decision, its effects on the feel of the rhythm are interesting for sure). But the result is 2 bars: one call and one response. In order to notate that in a way where the performers and conductor can see this intention, this is essentially the only way to notate it. After this amount of notes the melodic content starts again (but varied), and within those amount of notes, the bar line divisions fall where the call is separated from the response.
Also try notating it in 3/4 or 3/8 and see how much less elegant it looks and how much more the original version looks like it is describing what you are hearing
yeah you're right, its much cleaner the way he notates it cause it makes the phrase 2 bars rather than an awkward 5 bar phrase if it was in 3/8. just thought it was funny because it's not something you see everyday.
@@scommon You're all good, just thought I'd mention it! Great video, man. By the way at 8:36 the technique you are describing is called a sequence and it's a great way to extend musical ideas. Williams used the technique as the basis of the Raiders Fanfare.
He could have written it as 2/4 and 3/4 with triplets in the accompaniment and quarter notes for the melody. The accompaniment is what gives the heavy beats here, the melody moves in hemiolas against it.
i remember hearing this melody in a dream and waking up crying. i kinda thought i'm a genius to dream up this kind and sad and very sweet tune and, importantly, not forget it immediately. then i heard it again irl, was an "oh yeah oh right" moment. but now it's kind of even better because it exists and it is arranged so beautifully and i can listen to it whenever and just agh i love this theme so so much
I'm a huge John Williams fan, and a huge soundtrack fan in general (and the non-Williams HP themes are nothing to sneeze at and have some of my favorite motifs - I'm a big fan of several of the Hooper themes especially) and Prisoner of Azkaban is one of my absolute favorite of the scores. It's probably my favorite HP score, one of my very favorite Williams non-Star Wars scores (Hook is probably my other favorite), and just one of my favorite soundtracks in general. I feel like it doesn't get talked about a lot, especially in various Williams discussions. There's something about this soundtrack where Williams really gets to lean into the more melancholic, introspective, emotional themes (where strings and woodwind get to shine) instead of the more brassy/action heavy fanfares and bombastic themes. I freaking love Buckbeak's Flight, A Window to the Past and the Mischief Managed/map motifs. The Patronus Light, Forward to Time Past and Secrets of the Castle are fantastic too. I've found - and this isn't a complaint - that a lot of Williams' scores seem to echo each other or feel very familiar. But the Azkaban soundtrack is one of his that really feels very unique in its vibe. Although in some ways, it reminds me of some of my favorite atmospheric Star Wars prequel/sequel tracks. Of all the ones I've listed, Buckbeak's Flight is probably the most 'traditionally' Williams in that it's a soaring fanfare, but even that has a little hint of melancholy to it.
YES! Finally someone talks about this theme! This is absolutely my favourite piece out of all the music for Harry Potter. I sometimes have genuinely a hard time listening to it, just because of how emotional it makes me. “A Window to the Past” is such a good descriptor for it, because that’s how listening to it feels. There’s this joy, because the past you are looking at is beautiful and you want to keep looking. But then there’s that heart-shredding misery, because while you can look at it, you can never go there. It’s so beautiful, and that beginning part makes me physically ill. Sometimes I’ll re-listen to it over and over in a near masochistic way. It’s just so good.
The editing here is so wonderfully executed. I have years of playing with sheet music behind me, but there is something so concrete about hearing the notes and visually having them highlighted as they occur.
4:27 Lupus laughing was so good here. When I first saw the film I was thinking a couple of seconds before "wayhay Williams bringing the epic music now!" and felt like laughing in delight and a second later Lupus is laughing too 😈
The Prisoner of Azkaban was my first Harry Potter book, my favorite HP film and I loved this soundtrack. This video took me back to that evening when I first watched the film. Wish I could go back
I _never_ forgot this theme. Except for my music playlist, for some reason I never thought of putting at least one version of this theme, lol. Even though I love ittt! Thanks for reminding me of it!
I never thought I would see the day where I felt understood this much. I could never explain the way you did as to why this movie and this soundtrack is peak cinema. Well done sir. You gave me chills and bought a tear to my eye.
Williams did have another theme reappear, and that's "Quidditch, Third Year", it was used in half blood prince during the quidditch scenes, you can hear it in the track "Ron's Victory"
Brother.. this is my ringtone for the past many years.. I m really glad that u brought this in front of the world .. for most Lily’s theme and hedwig’s theme define Harry Potter’s music but some of us few really love to bless our ears with this soulful music.. thanks brother
I'm so obsessed with this theme, I WISH they'd used it more. It's so beautiful and emotional, portrays really well the melancholy, tragedy and love that lies behind Harry and the fate of the Marauders. I love the medieval sound too, it fits the setting and archaic feeling of Hogwarts and the magical world as a whole. This is the soundtrack of opening a dust-covered old anthology of writings from a past age and summoning the past back to life for a little while.
hahahah I read the music in the thumbnail and was so excited- it never fails to make me feel this deep melancholy you get when your mid-teens hit especially if your childhood is rough. Love the variations of it. Buckbeat's Flight may be the greatest theme from the entire franchise. The timpani at the beginning wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewww
The buckbeak sound track truly captured me so, so much as a child. That scene as hovers over the lake is still imprinted within me as if it’s my own memory.
A Window to The Past is the only Harry potter Theme which is in my playlist of 200+ songs and that too since years and years ago AHAHAHA I LOVE IT SOO MUCH
It was the version with the baroque flute that had me stand back in amazement by how beautiful it was. Subsequent listens allowed me to slowly start noticing how thoughtful and pretty consistent the musical quality was. I did not know at first that John Williams only wrote entirely new music for practically the whole of the whole film for just the first and third movie. From The Chamber of Secrets, I mostly seem to only recall the recurring music that was written and used for the first film, for some reason. Prisoner of Azkaban will be special to me as the last go of his evolution with the material and it was a lovely way to conclude the trilogy, so to speak. There’s a kind of continuity and consistency that occurs between both movie scores he was solely responsible for. I was really pleasantly surprised by how he was able to demonstrate variation but in a marked, appropriate, mature and fitting way for the third film, and I really can’t imagine the movie being as good without it.
@@pieterboelen2862 I think I made the leap or assumption that because of those other commitments, he wasn’t brought in to score really much of anything for Chamber of Secrets. I guess I just assumed that because much of the music I remember from the second film was in some cases exactly lifted from Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone, that John Williams was only credited in the second movie for the material from the first film that was arranged by William Ross.
@@seanbeadles7421I don't think it's accidental. Lucius Malfoy's theme is also right out of Attack of the Clones. It was genuinely recorded that way during the Harry Potter sessions. It's on the complete recording CDs and everything.
I composed a lesson last year for a junior high school class. I used this exact theme and the whole class was vibing with it. I am really glad that this composer and director have created such a masterpiece of work. Really shows how flexible it is and how it can be enjoyable as well as educational.
It's been my favourite theme for quite some time. Could never explain why it made me feel so warm but gave me chills. The third movie will always be my favourite.
I adore the scores to movies 4-8, but 1-3 are my favorites, and they're somehow so ingrained in my memory and *memories* that they've managed to create musical context to my own past. I don't know if that will make sense, but the best I can equate it to is how, in childhood, you might have realized your friend's belongings had a distinct scent to them, maybe you could detect the same scent whenever you walked into their home. So it seemed to accompany a bunch of different happy memories. You might still remember that scent, and perhaps not, but you'd remember it if you smelled it again, and all those beautiful memories would come flooding back. Those memories might not be clear; maybe it's just emotions or vague remnants of images, half-forgotten excitements and victories. That's what John Williams's HP scores are to me, especially Hedwig's Theme.
7:34 I think he wrote it like this for two reasons: firstly to avoid any unwanted metric accents that 3/8 might invite, and secondly to more clearly demonstrate the phrase structure.
I found this theme on a Spotify playlist and it’s been one of favourites the past few weeks!! Really wish they had reused more John Williams in the later films. It would have given it that extra bit of magic ✨
This is just one of the many reasons why HP3 movie on the top 3 among the 8 movies; The photography, the director and the way he wanted to present the characters in a different way (to show they are just teens) + the ambience of the movie keeping the book's mood and damn, the soundtrack/themes... It's just chef's kiss.
It's worth mentioning that Williams changes the modes in different scenes. Even the example of his original sketch seems a bit ironic after you said that he avoids the harmonic minor since the example provided clearly is in G harmonic minor! Also, calling it forgotten is a bit of a stretch, especially with this one, since it might considered a fan-favorite and very important to the story. I think more people forgot about Fawkes's theme, which is a beautiful little piece of music on its own, but not playing such an important role in the film. Come to think of it, many themes in The Chamber of Secrets are not so prominent and well audible in the movie, and if you don't listen to the album after watching it, some might easily go over your head. Actually, it is quite interesting how the first two movies and films kinda blend together, then you have a sharp turn with Cuaron and Williams' inspiration with the English Baroque and folk music (A Window to the Past has a very folky feeling to me, similar to one of the themes Williams crafted for the Witches of Eastwick, and later, for the War Horse), disregarding most of his own previous themes, and then they kept changing the composers which resulted in next to no musical connection. A window to the past would have worked great in the two last movies (Godric's hollow scene or his last conversation with his parents seem like a perfect fit).
haha yeah that is true! the first iteration of the theme is G harmonic minor. im pretty sure almost every single other time it is in aeolian. i had noticed that after already writing the script for this one so oh well! good eye. like your analysis here! completely agree about the turn the series took at prisoner of azkaban
@@scommon Interesting, I haven't seen the film in a couple of years, but now I'm wondering why he would start in the harmonic minor and then change to natural. I will certainly pay closer attention upon my next rewatch. Are you planning to make more Harry Potter or John Williams scores in general? Would love to hear your thoughts on them. Btw, great editing in the video and I really love the fact that you mentioned all the tools you used!
Prisoner is my favourite book and movie from the series, window to the past is my favourite piece from all the HP soundtracks and Lupin is my favourite character. All those scenes where Harry talks to/interacts with Lupin while this piece plays in the background in some form just make me feel something I can't even describe but I come back to this movie to exoerience it again
The A motifs feel like they’re asking a question, and the B motifs feel like they’re replying, but not in a way that’s conclusive - it isn’t a simple answer, it doesn’t satisfy the question. It’s sad, it’s not certain about what it’s saying, it’s an answer that raises more questions, but it’s at peace with that uncertainty. It’s okay with continuing to wonder and reflect.
Oh god, my favourite theme. Every time I hear it, it brings tears to my eyes. It fits so well it’s all kinds of sad/melancholic scenes when I’m reading different books.
I always loved the PoA the most of all the franchise movies, mainly for the feelings the music here can envoke. Especially the combination of the soundracks "The Patronus Light" and "Window to the past", which are heard when Harry cast the patronus, are just perfect. The melodic choir of The Patronus Light gives the feeling of warmth and safety that the patronus gives. Then "Window to the past" fills it with Harry needing to recall to his past for a happy memories, while overcoming all the horrors, that he had to go through. The music here just makes you feel like no other Harry Potter movie. I love John Williams and always will. (for note, I am by far no music expert, this is just how I feel about the soundtrack.)
With Prisoner of Azkaban being the first HP film to really lean into the darkness vibe and feel of the wizarding world, it contrasts that great in the film with the expository scenes thrown in, mostly taking place during the day, even if the subject matter is a bit 'Sirius' (eh? lol) the setting always gives a veil of lightness to the situation. I think that because Voldemort doesn't make a blatant appearance in the movie on screen, the Visually darkened shots thrown in and almost all at the end of the movie, along with what I previously stated, have much more of an impact as a stand alone movie in the franchise. To me it's the series taking a deep breath before it heads into the *actual* chaos and darkness of what Harry and company are going to have to face later on.
I love the emphasis of natural vs harmonic minor, and I think it has a particularly poignant effect when contrasted with "Double Trouble", considered to be the main theme of HP3. The fact that both employ baroque flute/recorder to get that "medieval" sound is perfect
i always admired john williams for understanding that this film looks and feels different in style than the two before and really capturing and bringing the unique visuals to life with unique music. not just this theme but the whole score of the third movie. and i think this combination is what made this movie a fan favorite. i'm so glad you honored this particular theme in your video. this theme (and the brilliant use of specific instruments picked to play it) touches my heart in a very personal way. i later in life realized that my favorite songs, no matter the genre, are in aolian mode, and i guess it all started from here, when i heard this music when i was 10. the use of this mode is brilliant because it has a melancholic feel to it which i think gets the bittersweetness of nostalgia, especially with a story like harry's where the past is sad but he tries to hold on to it fondly. i always feel like i have an unspoken understanding with anyone who likes this theme.
Leaving Hogwart’s theme breaks my heart every time like it teases you of that period of time when the movies were being released and we all thought the world was a beautiful place, to grow old and realise it’s not as beautiful as we had hoped. And you just desperately wish you could go back. It’s more than nostalgia.
As an oboist, this theme is absolutely my favorite and has coincidentally been on repeat the past year. The oboe solo is my alltime favorite of all of the soundtrack.
I clicked on this expecting you to be talking about "A Window To Times Past" and. Yeah. I listened to it on repeat on CD with a walkman and stared out the car window at the rain. My whole childhood is really in this track
The moment I read the title of the video, I knew which theme you were talking about. I have certainly never forgotten this ever since I first saw "The Prisoner of Azkaban" when I was a kid. A window to the past is the theme that represents everything about harry potter for me.
OKAY THANK YOUUU We finished rewatching the movies as a family a few weeks ago and for a few days now I've had this specific theme stuck in my head and couldn't remember exactly where it showed up! It's been bugging me for a while now so I'm super glad I came across this
THANK YOU FOR GIVING WINDOW TO THE PAST THE CREDIT IT DESERVES! I’ve been saying all this for so long. I got to hear this theme live and my private music teacher got to play the recorder solo at the beginning!
I actually have an extremely vivid memory associated with this theme and the picture of Harry's parents. Incredible how even the finest of detail has been etched into our minds for decades. John Williams composing Harry Potter was an incredible gift of history, akin to Richard Strauss taking up the task of setting Oscar Wilde's Salome or Cervantes' Don Quixote to music. Check those out of you want to learn about some absolutely BONKERS levels of thematic music writing.
I was pleasantly surprised when I happened to come across this video. This is my favorite song from the Harry Potter movies, and maybe my favorite instrumental song in general. It provokes emotions in me that nothing else does or has. I listen to it all the time and honestly thought I was the only person so fond of it so I’m glad to see I was mistaken. When I watched the John Williams documentary I was hoping to hear about this song but they didn’t talk about it which is understandable considering how much he has composed. So thank you! I’m no musical genius but I enjoyed and appreciated this video.
Wow ! Fantastic and heartening explanation sir. Have to say that we've lived in the time of Harry Potter. I credit my sister for bringing me closer to these films. What a journey it has been. I feel kind of blessed.
Oh my GOD !! THANK YOU to talk about this theme !! I was eager someone talk about it. What shook me is that I heard this theme in another movie 2-3 years ago and I can't remember what movie.. 😱🤦🏾
This brought back memories! When I was in fourth or fifth grade, my mom took my friend and I to see The Prisoner of Azkaban with a live orchestra playing the soundtrack. This theme stayed in my head all night and all next morning; though I was new to the instrument and arguably pretty bad, through immense trial and struggling I figured out the melody on the flute and would play it over and over for weeks on end. Thank you for reminding me of this beautiful song! Who knows how many more years I would've gone without thinking of it if not for this video.
Hm. Too me, the theme lacks creativity somehow. It was about the same time, Williams wrote Anakin's and Padme's Love Theme. And it is a similar melody. A little bit too similar. Particularly when it is played by the oboe, 4:37, I thought of how much sand is coarse and rough and irritating.
When I read that title I kind of knew immediately that you were talking about Window to the Past! This one stuck with me for all those years, it's the most memorable music from the films to me besides Hedwig's Theme. I still get an emotional reaction everytime I hear that theme. I wish I could watch all those movies for the very first time again
I knew it was gonna be A Window to the Past 😂 I am not a Harry Potter fanatic, but the end of the scene on the bridge when Remus is talking to Harry about his parents, as camera pulls away and A Window to the Past plays, broke me for some reason and has stayed with me. It has such an intrinsic sadness, Hardy not being able to go with his friends, being alone like he always had been, and then being told about his parents. Definitely one of my favorite pieces of music, and one of my favorite scenes in cinema.
A window to the past is my favourite theme in all the films, maybe of all time. It’s so heartbreaking and beautiful. The perfect embodiment of the joy and sadness that comes with reminiscing. The scene with Lupin and Harry on the bridge, with the complex film making, subject matter and building of connection between the characters is made so much more powerful by the magic of the theme. I remember crying to this theme when I was young, and it still makes me nostalgic to this day. Ironic as it’s about reminiscing and still elicits those feelings within me. What a piece of music perfect for such an incredible film.
This whole video gave me so many goosebumps! I loved this! Harry Potter will always hold a special place in my heart due to part of it being filmed in my home country! After showing my partner round, who's also Harry Potter obsessed, as well as her kids. It makes makes it that much more special and the music I adore so much. My partner lives in Canada, and I'll be moving out with her next year to live where her there
My YT was broken and it took me full two minutes to notice my screen was completely black, I was listening so intently to what you were saying. Well done!
This is EXACTLY what I told my friend the other day. The music of the third movie was sooo beautiful in general. Although I also really love Lily‘s theme in Deathly Hallows pt.2 Long story short, I did not forget this theme. I could never. Its my favorite to this day
When I saw the title I knew you were talking about the theme from third part. I used to listen to it on repeat but I wondered why no one ever talks about it
I clicked the video to see if it would be about that very song, as it made a huge impression on me all those years ago. I'm so glad to be right and I learnt something as well. Fantastic video!
CORRECTION: at 6:16, there should be one flat (Bb) in both key signatures ,as the scale is D Aeolian, not D Dorian. thank you to the viewer who pointed this out for me
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Hey @scommon, forgive me for asking, but what is that theme ending the outtro?? I simply can't remember who its composer is. Is it one of the Russians? Going mad here trying to find it, so if you could help me out, it'd be much appreciated. Thanks!
good ear; it’s the second movement of Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony Pathetique
Glad someone pointed that out…was dyin’ over here 😰
in LA?
IMO- The whole thing kinda gives G-Dorian more than D-Aeolian. The leading note is a G not an A (at 7:48).
To be honest, i'm upset they never reused this theme after HP3 , It would have been so emotional to hear it especially in the 5th movie since Sirius appear a lot on this one!
Yes it should've been played for Sirius's death and at the end when Harry meets his parents and Remus and Sirius thorough the resurrection stone... It is the marauders' theme, and it should've been played for them... Maybe even a spooky version of it when Pettigrew died
And they even used the "Finale" orchestration of this melody for the Goblet of Fire trailer, so I really expected it to show back up.
Wasn’t this theme in the order of the phoenix too? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe this theme was used at the scene when sirius told harry, “one day when all of this is over, we will be a real family”, smtg in that line 🤔
There’s a subtle variation for that in the beginning/transition of Hog’s Head scene in Order of Phoenix. But maybe I am wrong :)
No!!!!! Each movie of Harry Potter used to have unique themes, that gave personality to every movie, but then in the last 2 movies they re used some themes and made those movies meh, felt rushed
Most definitely not forgotten. This theme is actually my favourite from the entire series.
Absolutely. It’s my favorite too.
Indeed forgetting about this theme is quite the impossibility!
Though I'm partial to Fawkes too and wished both of them plus the Family Theme from the first movie had been maintained throughout the rest of the series.
In my youth group in church we once introduced each other to our favourite music. I chose "Window to the Past" and played it for the others. To this day it touches my soul every time I hear it. I don't know how else to describe what I feel when I hear this piece of music.
Same 🤝
forgotten since it's not many people's favourite. That's what the youtuber means
Buckbeak's flight will never not give me chills
Why does it give you chils
Same! One of my favourite pieces of music I think of all time, let alone the series
It was the song that made me go buy the soundtrack cd back then. I couldn’t believe the music without the movie still made me want to cry.
@@CaoimheandGinahorselifeidk but I literally got chills when that played and saw this comment later lol
I spent valuable iTunes gift card money as a kid for this song! Felt so epic :))
In my personal opinion, the score of the third Harry Potter is the best score, John Williams has ever composed for a single film. He had the groundwork already laid with the first two films. But when Cuaron took over and made the third part, i think, he had a different, not so consumer-friendly approach to make a film. He made the most artistic and risky Harry Potter feature in my Opinion So this influenced Williams to get all in, too. A Window to the Past is also my favorite Theme ...
It's the best movie in the franchise and you're absolutely right those two men are the reason why. They weren't afraid to lean into the bleak and brooding.
@@talos.fractal_author it did not only „influence“ williams, but he actually was asked by Cuaron to do something different 😊
I totally agree.
The music accompanying the scene where Harry realizes that he was the one chasing the dementors away and not his father up to the flight on buckbeaks to free Sirius till the return of Harry and Hermione to the hospital is just disrespectacularly phenomenal.
I love orchestra only thanks to John William the great!
Yeah my favourite score by John Williams !! So much creativity
Prisoner of Azkaban and Revenge of the Sith are his two best imo
A Window to the Past really captured a feeling that permeates the entire book series, but barely makes it into the films: the grief and sadness for what has been lost and what will never be. It reminds me of Williams's Binary Sunset in its quiet yearning.
i think its more similar to Across the Stars tbh
that is such a great example you used, thank you for shining light on it! Window to the past and Binary Sunset are my favourites from these movies!
"A Window to The Past" really is my favorite Harry Potter theme. There is something in it who brings an atmosphere of "Scotland". It is mystical and nostalgic. Melancholic at the right amount. Makes me dream about the Highlands and its past. Very magical!
I think I'm going to spend the rest of my life chasing the feeling this soundtrack to H3 gives me. But especially Window to the Past and Secrets of the Castle. No one talks about it enough. As someone from Ireland, it reminds me of my childhood not just because of the movies but because of the trips I'd go on as a kid
Yes! It feels somehow... raw. In a genuine, somewhat ancient way.
I remember when I was 12 and looking up what instrument played the melody . The recorder used is the nostalgia we all hear . 3rd hp movie had the best music . My list is 3,1,2,4,5,6. Another great John Williams soundtrack is memoirs of a geisha . As a kid it opened my ears to eastern classical music . And Coltrane
I have no clue how composers do what they do. Truly inspiring.
Me as well. I'm assuming the composers wait til the film is complete and then watch it, envisioning a score as the film goes along? Otherwise, I don't know how else a score can be so perfectly crafted to match a scene of a film.
@@ComedyBros5 I /think/ so. I can't think of any specific scenes off the top of my head, but I know there's definitely been clips of orchestras recording the soundtrack while watermarked versions of the scene play on a nearby screen. I think I've seen it for HP, but I know there's other movies that do the same
Use your feelings, reach out and let the music touch your finger tips. You’ll know what to play if you reach far enough.
@@ComedyBros5the score for the video game elder scrolls 5 Skyrim was actually created before the game. And I think that is the best score ever made. The creator of the game wanted the score to inspire the world. Not the other way around.
@@beachstl I'm not a game player but I'll check that out. That's a really unique idea. I'd like to see a movie done with the same premise!
This is actually my favorite theme out of the entire series. It's so sad and so beautiful. I am currently grieving someone and it represents my sadness and nostalgia pretty well.
hope you heal well
@ Thank you so much. I am very hopeful that I will get through this. I've grieved someone before, and I got to the point in which that pain transformed into pure love and happiness. Their memory wasn't a dementor anymore, it was the thought I used to cast my patronus. So I am hopeful it will happen this time; whenever I am ready.
I'm 28 years old and tearing up a bit to this theme. Life has changed so much since the Harry Potter days of my childhood. From growing up in rural Michigan to finding my way living and traveling through Europe, it can be hard to find an anchor to my childhood, origins, just my past life in general. I have my family, but I'm not quite close to them. I only talk to one person from high school. All my family has left my hometown, save an uncle and aunt, and I have no idea when I'll be back to visit. But there's something about Harry Potter, and especially the music, that can bring me back to my childhood. It helps me remember my roots and where I come from, and the MAGIC that I lived in as a child. I have a strong feeling this fall/winter I'll be listening to the HP soundtracks quite a bit. Thank you for the video, I'm very happy it showed up on my recommendations.
Crazy how music can release so many emotions right? Nothings hits harder for me
This is exactly how I feel about Harry Potter world and music.
That was kind of nice to read, I feel that, thanks for sharing! I hope Europe is nice to you and that you have nice people around wherever you travel🧡
Gosh this hits, I can relate
You ever been to Prague??
I am really into the Harry Potter music. I listen to it oftentimes when studying. And I never have anyone to talk to about it. It hurts sometimes when everyone just shrugs their shoulders about a topic that you are passionate about 🫤 So thank you so much for making a video on this. I also love A Window to the Past. It's definitely one of my top three HP themes
@@lenskihe I wrote my bachelor thesis about the musical consistency in the Harry Potter scores 😊
If you like harry potter content, keep an eye on my channel ;)
there already sre some videos such as an interview with composer of hp5 and hp6 Nicholas Hooper as well as a Hedwigs Theme supercut, but there is a lot more planned in the future ;)
What are your other top themes?
I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one! I'm a great fan of Harry Potter, but as a musician as well, it hurts to only see people think about Hedwig's Theme when you talks bout Harry Potter music.
@@frederiqueschouterenI'm doing a film music course at uni, and it's amazing because I'd say most people know about the Harry Potter soundtracks and all of the composers
You’re not alone my friend. Just know many people around the world (me included) turn to the HP music for happiness and comfort. :)
The Azkaban score is a masterpiece!
Exactly right. I don't understand why John Williams wasn't brought back for the rest of the series! And the next best composer of the series is Patrick Doyle with Goblet of Fire. I love the score to that film.
@@ComedyBros5 I've heard he was becoming overworked but I'm not sure that's true. I mean yes he was taking on a LOT of projects all at once but the Harry Potter films weren't yearly, production line affairs. I wish they had somehow offered him more money to take on less other projects and become a "full time" Harry Potter composer somehow
@@visionist7 That would've been the smart thing to do so that the score would've stayed consistent throughout. That's also how I feel about the director situation. They should've kept Alfonso Cuaron and if they couldn't find a way to keep him, get Mike Newell. My two favorite films of the series are Azkaban and Goblet of Fire.
I feel like these films would've been much better had they kept they same crew on each one. Have you heard anything about the HBO Harry Potter show that's in the works? How do you feel about that?
@ComedyBros5 I haven't followed the news (and rumours/gossip) day to day but the latest was that the writer (or one of the writers) hadn't read all the books, which was making people angsty until it was revealed he hadn't read them _yet_ lol.
I know they finalised the actors for the golden trio a few days ago. Their lives are about to change in a big big way, we won't know their names until spring though.
@@visionist7 Ahhhh that's a terrible sign. Guess all we can do is wait til casting announcements to give us a better idea of how it might turn out. Sure how they play this right.
This theme is used in the "Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle" show in the Universal Studios Parks, right when everything seems lost and Dumbledore blasts his phrase “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” and then Harry's deer patronus appears floating in the sky thanks to drones. That was back in 2019 were drones in shows were new and rare. That, combined with this haunting melody and the powerful bass line was sure to wow the audience and let and audible gasp. I cry anytime I watch a video of it (yet I never saw the show in person). Truly an otherworldly moment.
YESS THISS 🙌 i got chills and nearly cried when i was there 😭
This soundtrack should have won the Grammy and Oscar
Window to the past literally brings tears to my eyes, it's my favourite piece from the whole franchise
It was criminal to cut the theme at 5:37, I really appreciate this content :) always love your music analyses! I appreciate that you put the score on screen also in such a dynamic way.
hahaha you're right but i gotta dodge the youtube copyright bogeyman. glad you liked the video
I'll die on this hill: Prisoner of Azkaban has the best soundtrack of the HP movies. This theme in particular is such a beautiful one and I have to listen to it anytime it comes on my playlists! Thank you for making such a great, in-depth video about this, it's so cool seeing someone talk about a song I appreciate so much and yet see so little about.
It is the best Potter film, and the best time travel film.
@@icedreamer9629I thought the same with it being the best time travel film til I most recently saw the new 2024 film "Caddo Lake."
@@icedreamer9629 Right? Best film, best book, best soundtrack (in my opinion haha)
The bestest. So Best it deletes the FIDELIUS CHARM plot and y’all still eat it up.
@@davidw.2791 How so?
The Fidelius Charm worked perfectly. It was ruined by character stupidity (for once) rather than author stupidity.
The first time I felt this melody was when Harry first casts his patronus charm, the stagg. The way the horns softly but triumphantly play the melody over the harmonising choir paired with the pulsing light from Harry's wand really stuck out to me. I couldnt get over how beautiful it was.
The reason Williams notated in 6/8 and then 9/8 is because that is how the melody is felt and read. As you see in the 6/8 section there are 2 groupings of 2 notes, the next bar (9/8) begins with the same rhythmic grouping but then because Williams wanted to have an extended held note he ends each melodic section on a dotted half note (a creative decision, its effects on the feel of the rhythm are interesting for sure). But the result is 2 bars: one call and one response. In order to notate that in a way where the performers and conductor can see this intention, this is essentially the only way to notate it. After this amount of notes the melodic content starts again (but varied), and within those amount of notes, the bar line divisions fall where the call is separated from the response.
Also try notating it in 3/4 or 3/8 and see how much less elegant it looks and how much more the original version looks like it is describing what you are hearing
yeah you're right, its much cleaner the way he notates it cause it makes the phrase 2 bars rather than an awkward 5 bar phrase if it was in 3/8. just thought it was funny because it's not something you see everyday.
@@scommon You're all good, just thought I'd mention it! Great video, man. By the way at 8:36 the technique you are describing is called a sequence and it's a great way to extend musical ideas. Williams used the technique as the basis of the Raiders Fanfare.
How to start learning music theory to get to the point of understanding it so well?
He could have written it as 2/4 and 3/4 with triplets in the accompaniment and quarter notes for the melody. The accompaniment is what gives the heavy beats here, the melody moves in hemiolas against it.
i remember hearing this melody in a dream and waking up crying. i kinda thought i'm a genius to dream up this kind and sad and very sweet tune and, importantly, not forget it immediately. then i heard it again irl, was an "oh yeah oh right" moment. but now it's kind of even better because it exists and it is arranged so beautifully and i can listen to it whenever and just agh i love this theme so so much
When John Williams is the one working on the score you know it’s a certified CLASSIC!
Oh hey, it's one of my top 3 themes from the harry potter franchise. I'm delighted someone's actually talking about it specifically!
For some reason I immediately knew that it will be about this exact theme from the 3rd movie, I love this music very much.
Same
"A window to the past" was and will ever be my absolute favorite theme of the whole series
I'm a huge John Williams fan, and a huge soundtrack fan in general (and the non-Williams HP themes are nothing to sneeze at and have some of my favorite motifs - I'm a big fan of several of the Hooper themes especially) and Prisoner of Azkaban is one of my absolute favorite of the scores. It's probably my favorite HP score, one of my very favorite Williams non-Star Wars scores (Hook is probably my other favorite), and just one of my favorite soundtracks in general.
I feel like it doesn't get talked about a lot, especially in various Williams discussions. There's something about this soundtrack where Williams really gets to lean into the more melancholic, introspective, emotional themes (where strings and woodwind get to shine) instead of the more brassy/action heavy fanfares and bombastic themes.
I freaking love Buckbeak's Flight, A Window to the Past and the Mischief Managed/map motifs. The Patronus Light, Forward to Time Past and Secrets of the Castle are fantastic too. I've found - and this isn't a complaint - that a lot of Williams' scores seem to echo each other or feel very familiar. But the Azkaban soundtrack is one of his that really feels very unique in its vibe. Although in some ways, it reminds me of some of my favorite atmospheric Star Wars prequel/sequel tracks. Of all the ones I've listed, Buckbeak's Flight is probably the most 'traditionally' Williams in that it's a soaring fanfare, but even that has a little hint of melancholy to it.
A Window to the Past is my favorite piece from the Harry Potter series. It's absolutely gorgeous and melancholy.
YES! Finally someone talks about this theme! This is absolutely my favourite piece out of all the music for Harry Potter. I sometimes have genuinely a hard time listening to it, just because of how emotional it makes me. “A Window to the Past” is such a good descriptor for it, because that’s how listening to it feels. There’s this joy, because the past you are looking at is beautiful and you want to keep looking. But then there’s that heart-shredding misery, because while you can look at it, you can never go there. It’s so beautiful, and that beginning part makes me physically ill. Sometimes I’ll re-listen to it over and over in a near masochistic way. It’s just so good.
The editing here is so wonderfully executed. I have years of playing with sheet music behind me, but there is something so concrete about hearing the notes and visually having them highlighted as they occur.
4:27 Lupus laughing was so good here. When I first saw the film I was thinking a couple of seconds before "wayhay Williams bringing the epic music now!" and felt like laughing in delight and a second later Lupus is laughing too 😈
The Prisoner of Azkaban was my first Harry Potter book, my favorite HP film and I loved this soundtrack. This video took me back to that evening when I first watched the film. Wish I could go back
Why did you start reading the series with the 3rd book and not the first?
The music is what makes these films for me. They just make them feel so magical!
this is one of my favorite tracks in the whole franchise, i oculd never forget this masterpiece
I _never_ forgot this theme. Except for my music playlist, for some reason I never thought of putting at least one version of this theme, lol. Even though I love ittt!
Thanks for reminding me of it!
5:13 is easily my favourite usage of the theme. That moment is so perfect.
I never thought I would see the day where I felt understood this much. I could never explain the way you did as to why this movie and this soundtrack is peak cinema. Well done sir. You gave me chills and bought a tear to my eye.
Williams did have another theme reappear, and that's "Quidditch, Third Year", it was used in half blood prince during the quidditch scenes, you can hear it in the track "Ron's Victory"
Williams has a gift. A gift to understand and translate into music any character, place or event.
Happy 20 years to Prisoner of Azkaban
What do you mean 20 years? What... no... NOOOO!
You take that back right now 🥲
@@ArtisticPawsStickerEmporium I'll make it up to you, I just uploaded a tribute to the movie's score :)
Brother.. this is my ringtone for the past many years.. I m really glad that u brought this in front of the world .. for most Lily’s theme and hedwig’s theme define Harry Potter’s music but some of us few really love to bless our ears with this soulful music.. thanks brother
I'm so obsessed with this theme, I WISH they'd used it more. It's so beautiful and emotional, portrays really well the melancholy, tragedy and love that lies behind Harry and the fate of the Marauders. I love the medieval sound too, it fits the setting and archaic feeling of Hogwarts and the magical world as a whole. This is the soundtrack of opening a dust-covered old anthology of writings from a past age and summoning the past back to life for a little while.
hahahah I read the music in the thumbnail and was so excited- it never fails to make me feel this deep melancholy you get when your mid-teens hit especially if your childhood is rough. Love the variations of it.
Buckbeat's Flight may be the greatest theme from the entire franchise. The timpani at the beginning wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewww
The buckbeak sound track truly captured me so, so much as a child. That scene as hovers over the lake is still imprinted within me as if it’s my own memory.
A Window to The Past is the only Harry potter Theme which is in my playlist of 200+ songs and that too since years and years ago AHAHAHA I LOVE IT SOO MUCH
Thank you!! This is my favorite theme from all 3 John Williams movies, and it never gets enough recognition.
Same. Such an underrated piece
It was the version with the baroque flute that had me stand back in amazement by how beautiful it was. Subsequent listens allowed me to slowly start noticing how thoughtful and pretty consistent the musical quality was.
I did not know at first that John Williams only wrote entirely new music for practically the whole of the whole film for just the first and third movie. From The Chamber of Secrets, I mostly seem to only recall the recurring music that was written and used for the first film, for some reason. Prisoner of Azkaban will be special to me as the last go of his evolution with the material and it was a lovely way to conclude the trilogy, so to speak.
There’s a kind of continuity and consistency that occurs between both movie scores he was solely responsible for. I was really pleasantly surprised by how he was able to demonstrate variation but in a marked, appropriate, mature and fitting way for the third film, and I really can’t imagine the movie being as good without it.
Williams wrote the music for the second film too. Though it was a bit of a rush job as he had four movies to score that year.
@@pieterboelen2862 I think I made the leap or assumption that because of those other commitments, he wasn’t brought in to score really much of anything for Chamber of Secrets. I guess I just assumed that because much of the music I remember from the second film was in some cases exactly lifted from Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone, that John Williams was only credited in the second movie for the material from the first film that was arranged by William Ross.
@@Zoologic21Even after so many years, the contribution of Ross remains a bit mysterious. Certainly the new themes and setpieces are all Williams.
Someone on his team (or him) accidentally used Star Wars music during the first quidditch match in the second Harry Potter, he was so busy.
@@seanbeadles7421I don't think it's accidental. Lucius Malfoy's theme is also right out of Attack of the Clones. It was genuinely recorded that way during the Harry Potter sessions. It's on the complete recording CDs and everything.
this has been one of my all-time favorite themes from any film ever. love that it gets somuch love, it is brilliant!
I composed a lesson last year for a junior high school class. I used this exact theme and the whole class was vibing with it. I am really glad that this composer and director have created such a masterpiece of work. Really shows how flexible it is and how it can be enjoyable as well as educational.
I could never forget this theme! One of my all time favourites, an absolutely masterfully crafted score.
It's been my favourite theme for quite some time. Could never explain why it made me feel so warm but gave me chills. The third movie will always be my favourite.
I adore the scores to movies 4-8, but 1-3 are my favorites, and they're somehow so ingrained in my memory and *memories* that they've managed to create musical context to my own past.
I don't know if that will make sense, but the best I can equate it to is how, in childhood, you might have realized your friend's belongings had a distinct scent to them, maybe you could detect the same scent whenever you walked into their home. So it seemed to accompany a bunch of different happy memories.
You might still remember that scent, and perhaps not, but you'd remember it if you smelled it again, and all those beautiful memories would come flooding back. Those memories might not be clear; maybe it's just emotions or vague remnants of images, half-forgotten excitements and victories. That's what John Williams's HP scores are to me, especially Hedwig's Theme.
7:34 I think he wrote it like this for two reasons: firstly to avoid any unwanted metric accents that 3/8 might invite, and secondly to more clearly demonstrate the phrase structure.
I found this theme on a Spotify playlist and it’s been one of favourites the past few weeks!! Really wish they had reused more John Williams in the later films. It would have given it that extra bit of magic ✨
This is just one of the many reasons why HP3 movie on the top 3 among the 8 movies; The photography, the director and the way he wanted to present the characters in a different way (to show they are just teens) + the ambience of the movie keeping the book's mood and damn, the soundtrack/themes... It's just chef's kiss.
It's worth mentioning that Williams changes the modes in different scenes. Even the example of his original sketch seems a bit ironic after you said that he avoids the harmonic minor since the example provided clearly is in G harmonic minor! Also, calling it forgotten is a bit of a stretch, especially with this one, since it might considered a fan-favorite and very important to the story. I think more people forgot about Fawkes's theme, which is a beautiful little piece of music on its own, but not playing such an important role in the film. Come to think of it, many themes in The Chamber of Secrets are not so prominent and well audible in the movie, and if you don't listen to the album after watching it, some might easily go over your head.
Actually, it is quite interesting how the first two movies and films kinda blend together, then you have a sharp turn with Cuaron and Williams' inspiration with the English Baroque and folk music (A Window to the Past has a very folky feeling to me, similar to one of the themes Williams crafted for the Witches of Eastwick, and later, for the War Horse), disregarding most of his own previous themes, and then they kept changing the composers which resulted in next to no musical connection. A window to the past would have worked great in the two last movies (Godric's hollow scene or his last conversation with his parents seem like a perfect fit).
haha yeah that is true! the first iteration of the theme is G harmonic minor. im pretty sure almost every single other time it is in aeolian. i had noticed that after already writing the script for this one so oh well! good eye.
like your analysis here! completely agree about the turn the series took at prisoner of azkaban
@@scommon Interesting, I haven't seen the film in a couple of years, but now I'm wondering why he would start in the harmonic minor and then change to natural. I will certainly pay closer attention upon my next rewatch. Are you planning to make more Harry Potter or John Williams scores in general? Would love to hear your thoughts on them. Btw, great editing in the video and I really love the fact that you mentioned all the tools you used!
Prisoner is my favourite book and movie from the series, window to the past is my favourite piece from all the HP soundtracks and Lupin is my favourite character. All those scenes where Harry talks to/interacts with Lupin while this piece plays in the background in some form just make me feel something I can't even describe but I come back to this movie to exoerience it again
The A motifs feel like they’re asking a question, and the B motifs feel like they’re replying, but not in a way that’s conclusive - it isn’t a simple answer, it doesn’t satisfy the question. It’s sad, it’s not certain about what it’s saying, it’s an answer that raises more questions, but it’s at peace with that uncertainty. It’s okay with continuing to wonder and reflect.
Oh god, my favourite theme. Every time I hear it, it brings tears to my eyes. It fits so well it’s all kinds of sad/melancholic scenes when I’m reading different books.
"A Window to the Past" has always been my favourite melody in all the movies! It's an integral part of my playlist.
I always loved the PoA the most of all the franchise movies, mainly for the feelings the music here can envoke. Especially the combination of the soundracks "The Patronus Light" and "Window to the past", which are heard when Harry cast the patronus, are just perfect.
The melodic choir of The Patronus Light gives the feeling of warmth and safety that the patronus gives.
Then "Window to the past" fills it with Harry needing to recall to his past for a happy memories, while overcoming all the horrors, that he had to go through.
The music here just makes you feel like no other Harry Potter movie. I love John Williams and always will.
(for note, I am by far no music expert, this is just how I feel about the soundtrack.)
With Prisoner of Azkaban being the first HP film to really lean into the darkness vibe and feel of the wizarding world, it contrasts that great in the film with the expository scenes thrown in, mostly taking place during the day, even if the subject matter is a bit 'Sirius' (eh? lol) the setting always gives a veil of lightness to the situation. I think that because Voldemort doesn't make a blatant appearance in the movie on screen, the Visually darkened shots thrown in and almost all at the end of the movie, along with what I previously stated, have much more of an impact as a stand alone movie in the franchise. To me it's the series taking a deep breath before it heads into the *actual* chaos and darkness of what Harry and company are going to have to face later on.
I am baffled that you didn't mention Jurassic Park at the beginning....it's my favourite score from John Williams. Absolutely loved the analysis
I love the emphasis of natural vs harmonic minor, and I think it has a particularly poignant effect when contrasted with "Double Trouble", considered to be the main theme of HP3. The fact that both employ baroque flute/recorder to get that "medieval" sound is perfect
How could I ever forget this theme? It might be my favorite John Williams Theme
i always admired john williams for understanding that this film looks and feels different in style than the two before and really capturing and bringing the unique visuals to life with unique music. not just this theme but the whole score of the third movie. and i think this combination is what made this movie a fan favorite. i'm so glad you honored this particular theme in your video. this theme (and the brilliant use of specific instruments picked to play it) touches my heart in a very personal way. i later in life realized that my favorite songs, no matter the genre, are in aolian mode, and i guess it all started from here, when i heard this music when i was 10. the use of this mode is brilliant because it has a melancholic feel to it which i think gets the bittersweetness of nostalgia, especially with a story like harry's where the past is sad but he tries to hold on to it fondly.
i always feel like i have an unspoken understanding with anyone who likes this theme.
Leaving Hogwart’s theme breaks my heart every time like it teases you of that period of time when the movies were being released and we all thought the world was a beautiful place, to grow old and realise it’s not as beautiful as we had hoped. And you just desperately wish you could go back. It’s more than nostalgia.
same. exactly how i feel every time i listen to it
As an oboist, this theme is absolutely my favorite and has coincidentally been on repeat the past year. The oboe solo is my alltime favorite of all of the soundtrack.
I clicked on this expecting you to be talking about "A Window To Times Past" and. Yeah. I listened to it on repeat on CD with a walkman and stared out the car window at the rain. My whole childhood is really in this track
10:26 I LOVE how the "beeep" sound effect literally finishes the williams melody. idk if you intended that or not but it was brilliant.
The Buckbeak theme still brings tears to my eyes
The theme of nostalgia itself.
The moment I read the title of the video, I knew which theme you were talking about.
I have certainly never forgotten this ever since I first saw "The Prisoner of Azkaban" when I was a kid. A window to the past is the theme that represents everything about harry potter for me.
I used to fall asleep to this specific theme, awesome to see a video essay about it!
You and me both
And me too ! My favorite HP track !
OKAY THANK YOUUU
We finished rewatching the movies as a family a few weeks ago and for a few days now I've had this specific theme stuck in my head and couldn't remember exactly where it showed up! It's been bugging me for a while now so I'm super glad I came across this
Precise, simple and informative, beautiful video
What a great video! Really, this theme passes in the background so subtly, inciting the right mood yet remaining seemingly invisible!
Great job, man!
Great video! I love the King's Row reference at 10:23.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING WINDOW TO THE PAST THE CREDIT IT DESERVES! I’ve been saying all this for so long. I got to hear this theme live and my private music teacher got to play the recorder solo at the beginning!
I actually have an extremely vivid memory associated with this theme and the picture of Harry's parents. Incredible how even the finest of detail has been etched into our minds for decades.
John Williams composing Harry Potter was an incredible gift of history, akin to Richard Strauss taking up the task of setting Oscar Wilde's Salome or Cervantes' Don Quixote to music. Check those out of you want to learn about some absolutely BONKERS levels of thematic music writing.
I was pleasantly surprised when I happened to come across this video. This is my favorite song from the Harry Potter movies, and maybe my favorite instrumental song in general. It provokes emotions in me that nothing else does or has. I listen to it all the time and honestly thought I was the only person so fond of it so I’m glad to see I was mistaken. When I watched the John Williams documentary I was hoping to hear about this song but they didn’t talk about it which is understandable considering how much he has composed. So thank you! I’m no musical genius but I enjoyed and appreciated this video.
10:55: IS THAT BONDONI 72 SMALLCAPS!??!?!??!?! I DIDN"T KNOW OTHER PEOPLE USED BONDONI 72 SMALLCAPS!!!!!
I like bodoni 72 smallcaps as well haha!!
Underrated comment
Wow ! Fantastic and heartening explanation sir.
Have to say that we've lived in the time of Harry Potter. I credit my sister for bringing me closer to these films. What a journey it has been. I feel kind of blessed.
Where did you find the sheet music at 7:39? It looks like the real original handwritten score and you don't seem to have linked it anywhere
Oh my GOD !! THANK YOU to talk about this theme !! I was eager someone talk about it. What shook me is that I heard this theme in another movie 2-3 years ago and I can't remember what movie.. 😱🤦🏾
big fan of this
"A window to the past" is one of my favorite themes. Why do you assume most people forgot it?
This brought back memories! When I was in fourth or fifth grade, my mom took my friend and I to see The Prisoner of Azkaban with a live orchestra playing the soundtrack. This theme stayed in my head all night and all next morning; though I was new to the instrument and arguably pretty bad, through immense trial and struggling I figured out the melody on the flute and would play it over and over for weeks on end. Thank you for reminding me of this beautiful song! Who knows how many more years I would've gone without thinking of it if not for this video.
I specifically searched for that theme a few years ago and found it. "The Finale" from Azkaban OST.
It is my go-to theme on bad days.
2:22 well yeah, about 5% of what he have learned in a book.
I am not joking when i say i listened to this song my entire teenage years. it is so powerful for me
Hm. Too me, the theme lacks creativity somehow. It was about the same time, Williams wrote Anakin's and Padme's Love Theme. And it is a similar melody. A little bit too similar. Particularly when it is played by the oboe, 4:37, I thought of how much sand is coarse and rough and irritating.
When I read that title I kind of knew immediately that you were talking about Window to the Past! This one stuck with me for all those years, it's the most memorable music from the films to me besides Hedwig's Theme. I still get an emotional reaction everytime I hear that theme. I wish I could watch all those movies for the very first time again
I knew it was gonna be A Window to the Past 😂 I am not a Harry Potter fanatic, but the end of the scene on the bridge when Remus is talking to Harry about his parents, as camera pulls away and A Window to the Past plays, broke me for some reason and has stayed with me. It has such an intrinsic sadness, Hardy not being able to go with his friends, being alone like he always had been, and then being told about his parents.
Definitely one of my favorite pieces of music, and one of my favorite scenes in cinema.
A window to the past is my favourite theme in all the films, maybe of all time. It’s so heartbreaking and beautiful. The perfect embodiment of the joy and sadness that comes with reminiscing.
The scene with Lupin and Harry on the bridge, with the complex film making, subject matter and building of connection between the characters is made so much more powerful by the magic of the theme.
I remember crying to this theme when I was young, and it still makes me nostalgic to this day. Ironic as it’s about reminiscing and still elicits those feelings within me.
What a piece of music perfect for such an incredible film.
This whole video gave me so many goosebumps! I loved this! Harry Potter will always hold a special place in my heart due to part of it being filmed in my home country! After showing my partner round, who's also Harry Potter obsessed, as well as her kids. It makes makes it that much more special and the music I adore so much. My partner lives in Canada, and I'll be moving out with her next year to live where her there
My YT was broken and it took me full two minutes to notice my screen was completely black, I was listening so intently to what you were saying. Well done!
AMAZING analysis!! It's so refreshing nowadays to use actual bibliography as a reference and using technical knowledge instead of "vibes"
This is EXACTLY what I told my friend the other day. The music of the third movie was sooo beautiful in general. Although I also really love Lily‘s theme in Deathly Hallows pt.2 Long story short, I did not forget this theme. I could never. Its my favorite to this day
I love the window to the past, in my opinion its the best theme the franchise has made.
When I saw the title I knew you were talking about the theme from third part. I used to listen to it on repeat but I wondered why no one ever talks about it
I clicked the video to see if it would be about that very song, as it made a huge impression on me all those years ago. I'm so glad to be right and I learnt something as well. Fantastic video!