The Role of Music in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Film (Research Paper Sample)

The Role of Music in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Film
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The Role of Music in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Film
The important role of music in films cannot be denied or underestimated. Its functions have a comprehensive application that can cut across the emotional aspects of the movie or enhance the storyline. It is probable that directors and producers always ensure that the intended music in a film is kept in mind when plans for the movie are underway. For the audience’s side, the music tends to impact the perception of the film greatly in one way or another. Herein, consideration will be made in regards to the role of music in a single film and bring to attention just how important it can be in enhancing the movie’s theme.
The music used always varies depending on the genre of the film and the scene involved. It tends to qualify the action portrayed, helping define the genre which in essence contributes to the emotional perception of the film. Music at times takes the exciting role to the audience, sparking curiosity on the events that will unfold next. Play of music in the background tend to highlight what’s happening in the film or even portray intentions. Music often tends to represent the emotion, and it is often easy for one to relate to movies through a particular song.
The movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone interestingly depicts the role of music in a film. The 2001 British American film has its basis on the novel Harry Potter, written by J. K. Rowlings. The film score was done by John Towner Williams, an American composer, pianist, and conductor who has earned a reputation through his career in composing for other popular films.
Most of the theme music in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone tend to have established the magical world effectively. The music managed to be mystical for the most part, with emphasis on instruments such as the harp and celeste. The movie has its plot around introducing Harry, who is the main character into the magical world, which he seems to know nothing about even though he has some special powers. The music comes out as underscoring the amazement of the magical world since most of what the main character encounters is new and surprising.
Hedwig’s theme is the key song that can be associated with the film. This theme music is heard from the start of the film where an orphaned infant, is delivered to a doorway. Throughout the movie, all magical scenes are accompanied musically. The introduction of the song is done on a celeste synthesizer triggering a magical feeling with play blended with an ensemble of orchestral instruments that fit well with the magic in the movie. Even though Hedwig is an owl, the song represents the magical world and all the associated acts.
Different sounds are portrayed as the theme song plays. Initially, it starts with a high pitched dynamic consonant which builds on as other rhythmic tones join in as more alternate as they fade in the background. The song has a magical feeling with potential to build up enigma, marvel and wonderment while viewing. The song starts off softly and quietly which then turns into a quick gradual increase in loudness. Further, it crosses to a diminuendo state and then comes rising again. It goes on for a while before going down and turns silent. Through this style emulated in the tune, the feeling of mystery is promoted.
The flexibility of music in the film is quite amazing as it does not represent any specific character or an object. The world of wizardry and magic is represented in every aspect. Music plays mostly in scenes that would cause amazement or wonder to Harry Potter. This therefore makes the music bear possible interpretation that the mystical world in the movie is unfolded to the viewers in the same way as they are seen in Potter’s eyes. The wonder like effect of the song is, therefore, justified and well accounted for.
The sounds characterized by lightness and insubstantiality of the ...