GOF Soundtrack Review

By ACED Magazine staffer Kevin K.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire not only has a new director, but a new composer as well. Taking over the reigns from the legendary John William's whose credits not only include the first 3 Harry Potter films, but Star Wars, ET, and practically every single tune you can possibly hum from a movie, is no easy task. Composer Patrick Doyle rises to occasion and creates something fresh and uniquely his own, while at the same time seamlessly integrating it into the musical canon of the Harry Potter saga. The soundtrack is suspenseful, beautiful, mysterious, and downright scary. All the emotions that encapsulate this 4th installment. Did I mention that there's even 3 punk rock tracks? This is a very different soundtrack from what were used to, and one can’t help but notice the absence of a lot of John William’s familiar material, although the ever recognizable “Hedwig’s Theme” does make an appearance. That being said, this soundtrack is a winner, and feels perhaps a bit more personal than ever before. Patrick Doyle’s score to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is darker and more mature than it’s predecessors.

The Story Continues
A perfect, dark, foreboding, yet adventurous opening to this 4th installment. It really sets the right atmosphere and tone for what is to come. I’m very happy to note the inclusion of “Hedwig's Theme.”

The Quiddiche World Cup
Exciting action cue! Even if at first the music brings to mind a certain American TV commercial. I’m not exactly sure how to describe it, but the theme to Durmstrang is very exhilarating.

The Golden Egg
A beautiful, haunting, perfectly abstract track! The vocals are quite hypnotic, this piece plays out especially well in the film. If only the Merpeople were as beautiful!

Neville’s Waltz
A lovely bit of classic classical music, if that makes sense? Really nice work here, that perfectly captures the sensibility of the Yule Ball. Now where’s my Jane Austin costume?

Harry In Winter
Easily the best track on the album, and one of my very favorite pieces of music from the entire series. It’s breathtaking, emotional, and hits all the right notes. It’s classical music at it’s best. I like to think of this as Harry’s “Force Theme,” if I may bring Star Wars into the equation for a sec. I wish it was used more in the actual film. It’s one of the few tracks on the album that has a strong reoccurring thematic element.

Voldemort
An epic action cue! This track perfectly captures the fear of Lord Voldemort, and the tension, as well as the intensity of the scene at hand. Anyone who knows the scene and then listens to this track, will be given goose bumps, it’s that good. The power of music!

Cedric
A really touching, tender, tear inducing track. The use of strings heightens the feeling, you really feel the emotion of the moment through a track like this. Contains a bit of “Harry in Winter.” Things are getting darker....

Another Year Ends
A poignant track, works perfectly as the closing cue to this film, as it leads the audience to Order of the Phoenix. It reminds us that things are just getting started, while at the same time noting that “everything is going to change.”

Do the Hippogriff, This is the Night, and Magic Works
These are the last kind of songs you would think you would find on a Harry Potter soundtrack. They are used during the Yule Ball scenes, and I rather like them. Jarvis Cocker comes up with some innovative new tracks that I would definitely listen too outside the context of Harry Potter. For all you puck rock fans out there, your in for a teat. Surely punk rock Harry Potter style is worth a listen. I mean, “Do the Hippogriff?” How can you resist?

So the question at this point is, will Doyle score the next film, Order of the Phoenix? I wouldn’t mind. But personally I would like to see or rather hear John William's come back. As good as this score is, I feel as if there is a certain magical spark missing at times. But not too many times. Happy listening!